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solemnity

Noun
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A state of grave, dignified, and earnest seriousness; characterizes sacred rituals, funeral rites, and tragic moments in poetry.

Detailed Definition
Solemnity is a formal, grave quality in speech, behavior, or ceremony. In poetry it often suggests an intentionally serious tone, especially in contrast with ordinary or affectionate language.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow” — solemnity means grave seriousness, often ceremonial or mournful; the adjective “forced” warns against performing grief rather than feeling it; Thomas Gray’s “Elegy” offers a more sustained atmosphere of solemn reflection; in contemporary elegy, solemnity may be interrupted by ordinary speech or humor; the noun can describe both a mood and a formal occasion
Additional Notes
In the line quoted, 'solemnity' is a more formal, less everyday word than the surrounding vocabulary and may need looking up.; Found in the poem, All is Well by Henry Scott Holland
Also Known As
gravity seriousness dignity
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