SOLEM'NITY, n.
1. A rite or ceremony annualy performed with religious reverence. Great was the cause our old solemnities from no blind zeal or fond tradition rise, but sav'd from death, our Arguves yearly pay these grateful honors to the god of day.
Solemnities seems here to include the sense of anniversary. See the fourth line. But in modern usage, that sense is rarely or never attached to the word.
2. A religious ceremony a ritual performance attended with religious reverence as the solemnity of a funral or of a sacrament.
3. A ceremony adapted to impress awe as the solemnities of the last day.
4. Manner of acting awfully serious. With horrible solemnity he caused every thing to be prepared for his triumph of victory.
5. Gravity steady seriouness as the solemnity of the Spanish language.
6. Affected gravity. Solemnity's a cover for a sot.
The King James Bible has stood its ground for nearly 400 years. However, during that time the English language has changed, and with it the meanings of some words it used. Here are more than 6,500 words whose definitions have changed since 1611.Wikipedia
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