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sol·em·nize

(sŏləm-nīz′)

tr.v. sol·em·nized, sol·em·niz·ing, sol·em·niz·es

1. To celebrate or observe with dignity and gravity: "His death is solemnized with a stoical but powerful gesture of grief" (David Denby). See Synonyms at observe.

2. To perform (a marriage, for example) with formal ceremony.

3. To make serious or grave: "those rooms so solemnized by their massive regimental decor" (William H. Gass).

sol′em·ni·zation (-nĭ-zāshən) n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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