Both Uses of
solemn
in
1984, by Orwell
- He wolfed another tasteless meal in the canteen, hurried off to the center, took part in the solemn foolery of a 'discussion group', played two games of table tennis, swallowed several glasses of gin, and sat for half an hour through a lecture entitled 'Ingsoc in relation to chess'.†
p. 109.3solemn = very serious--possibly dignified
- His face grew solemn again, and he raised his glass: 'I think it is fitting that we should begin by drinking a health.†
p. 171.2 *
Definitions:
-
(1)
(solemn) in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Less commonly, solemn can mean that something was done with great or appropriate ceremony. It can also be used to describe something as dark or undecorated.