Both Uses
solemn
in
The City of Ember
(Edited)
- So the first mayor of Ember was given the box, told to guard it carefully, and solemnly sworn to secrecy.
p. 2.5 *solemnly = very seriously
- Portraits of all the mayors of the city since the beginning of time hung on the walls, staring solemnly from behind pieces of old window glass.
p. 34.1solemnly = in a dignified, serious manner
Definitions:
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(1)
(solemn) in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
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(2)
(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.