Also solemnness. [f. SOLEMN a. + -NESS.] The state or quality of being solemn; solemnity.

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1530.  Palsgr., 272/2. Solemnesse, solempnité.

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1561.  T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, IV. (1577), T iv. Pride, wrath, solemnesse and such tiranical fashions as they haue within them.

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1642.  D. Rogers, Naaman, 130. When the closnesse, solemnesse,… and necessity of it, is presented to the soule.

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1741.  Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. 74. He looked at me with such respect and solemness at parting.

5

1797–1803.  Foster, in J. E. Ryland, Life & Corr. (1876), I. 211. Still shades, that dimmed in solemness the lower part of her orb.

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1828–33.  Webster, s.v., The solemness of public worship.

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1908.  R. B. Cunninghame Graham, in Nation, March, 845/1. He has felt the greater solemnness of a Semitic tongue.

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