adj. 1. b. Showing or behaving with dignified restraint or earnestness: "Spade's face was solemn except for wrinkles at the corners of his eyes" (Dashiell Hammett). 2. Performed with full ceremony: a solemn High Mass. 3. Made with deep sincerity or invoking the force of religion: a solemn vow. 4. Dark or undecorated: a solemn forest; a solemn hall. [Middle English solemne, from Old French, from Latin sollemnis, established, customary; see sol- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] solemn·ly adv. solemn·ness n. |
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