Part 549

2. Any inconsistency, unfitness, absurdity, or impropriety, as in deeds or manners.

Cæsar, by dismissing his guards and retaining his power, committed a dangerous solecism in politics.

C. Middleton.

The idea of having committed the slightest solecism in politeness was agony to him.

Sir W. Scott.

Syn. -- Barbarism; impropriety; absurdity.

Sol"e*cist (?), n. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;.] One who commits a solecism. Blackwall.

Sol`e*cis"tic (?), a. Solecistical.

Sol`e*cis"tic*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or involving, a solecism; incorrect. "He thought it made the language solecistical and absurd." Blackwall.

Sol`e*cis"tic*al*ly, adv. In a solecistic manner.

Sol"e*cize (?), v. i. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;.] To commit a solecism. [R.] Dr. H. More.

Sole"ly (?), adv. Singly; alone; only; without another; as, to rest a cause solely one argument; to rely solelyn one's own strength.

Sol"emn (?), a. [OE. solempne, OF. solempne, L. solemnis, solennis, sollemnis, sollennis; sollus all, entire + annus a year; properly, that takes place every year; -- used especially of religious solemnities. Cf. Silly, Annual.] 1. Marked with religious rites and pomps; enjoined by, or connected with, religion; sacred.

His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned.

Milton.

The worship of this image was advanced, and a solemn supplication observed everry year.

Bp. Stillingfleet.

2. Pertaining to a festival; festive; festal. [Obs.] "On this solemn day." Chaucer.

3. Stately; ceremonious; grand. [Archaic]

His feast so solemn and so rich.

Chaucer.

To-night we hold a splemn supper.

Shak.

4. Fitted to awaken or express serious reflections; marked by seriousness; serious; grave; devout; as, a solemn promise; solemn earnestness.

Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage With solemn touches troubled thoughts.

Milton.

There reigned a solemn silence over all.

Spenser.