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Where does the word "solemn" come from? It comes from Latin sollemnis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "solemn" come from? It comes from Latin sollemnis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Solemn’s story begins in Latin: sollemnis meant “annual, ceremonial.” Possibly from 'sollus', whole, plus 'annus', year: yearly rites. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as solempne. Religious festivals. It reached English by 1300s as solemn. The sense 'serious' followed. Today, solemn means formal and dignified; serious.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sollemnis "annual, ceremonial", possibly from 'sollus', whole, plus 'annus', year: yearly rites.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval solempne "ceremonial", religious festivals.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s solemn "ceremonial", the sense 'serious' followed.