solemn
adjective (solemn, more solemn)
Everyday
- Solemn means very serious and not happy or joking, often in an important or sad moment. tree →
- A solemn promise is a very serious, sincere promise. tree →
In the lessons
In stories and life, solemn moments are funerals, ceremonies and remembering the dead (Remembrance Day, Anzac Day, Veterans Day). Phrases: «a solemn promise», «a solemn face», «a solemn occasion», «solemnly swear».
Examples
- She made a solemn promise to look after the puppy. tree →
- The crowd was solemn during the minute's silence. tree →
- His face was solemn as he told us the bad news. tree →
- The funeral was a solemn occasion. tree →
- I solemnly swear to tell the truth. tree →
- Anzac Day begins with a solemn dawn service. tree →
- He struck a most solemn blow upon the piece of wood. tree →
Note
Spelling trap: the «n» at the end is silent — SOL-um. Adverb: «solemnly». Opposite: «cheerful», «light-hearted».
In Jewish tradition
It is used for festival days and the Sabbath, called days of holy gathering and rest. The prophets also use it for gatherings called in time of need, like a fast in Joel, and for a false gathering for Baal; Amos says God hates solemn assemblies held without justice.
Interpretation. Tradition reads these days as times set apart for rest, prayer and gathering, and Yom Kippur is a Sabbath of Sabbaths when people fast and ask forgiveness. The prophets are read as teaching that worship pleases God only when people also act justly.
Examples
- On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no manner of servile work; (Torah NUM.29.35, JPS 1917) tree →
- It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever. (Torah LEV.16.31, JPS 1917) tree →
- And he said unto them: 'This is that which the LORD hath spoken: To-morrow is a solemn rest, a holy sabbath unto the LORD. (Torah EXO.16.23, JPS 1917) tree →
- Blow the horn in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; (Prophets JOL.2.15, JPS 1917) tree →
- And Jehu said: 'Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal.' And they proclaimed it. (Prophets 2KI.10.20, JPS 1917) tree →
- I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies. (Prophets AMO.5.21, JPS 1917) tree →
Note
Spelling trap: the «n» at the end is silent — SOL-um. Adverb: «solemnly». Opposite: «cheerful», «light-hearted».
On Mova
- Trees and pragmatics of «solemn» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «solemn» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
- Trees and pragmatics of «solemn» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «solemn» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/solemn/