CEREMONY

ceremony

(noun) any activity that is performed in an especially solemn elaborate or formal way; “the ceremony of smelling the cork and tasting the wine”; “he makes a ceremony of addressing his golf ball”; “he disposed of it without ceremony”

ceremony

(noun) the proper or conventional behavior on some solemn occasion; “an inaugural ceremony”

ceremony, ceremonial, ceremonial occasion, observance

(noun) a formal event performed on a special occasion; “a ceremony commemorating Pearl Harbor”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

ceremony (plural ceremonies)

A ritual, with religious or cultural significance.

An official gathering to celebrate, commemorate, or otherwise mark some event.

(uncountable) A formal socially established behaviour, often in relation to people of different ranks; formality.

(uncountable) Show of magnificence, display, ostentation.

(obsolete) An accessory or object associated with a ritual.

(obsolete) An omen or portent.

Source: Wiktionary

Cer"e*mo*ny, n.; pl. Ceremonies. Etym: [F. cérémonie, L. caerimonia; perh. akin to E. create and from a root signifying to do or make.]

1. Ar act or series of acts, often of a symbolical character, prescribed by law, custom, or authority, in the conduct of important matters, as in the performance of religious duties, the transaction of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church; marriage and baptismal ceremonies. According to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it [the Passover]. Numb. ix. 3 Bring her up the high altar, that she may The sacred ceremonies there partake. Spenser. [The heralds] with awful ceremony And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim A solemn council. Milton.

2. Behavior regulated by strict etiquette; a formal method of performing acts of civility; forms of civility prescribed by custom or authority. Ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on . . . hollow welcomes . . . But where there is true friendship there needs none. Shak. Al ceremonies are in themselves very silly things; but yet a man of the world should know them. Chesterfield.

3. A ceremonial symbols; an emblem, as a crown, scepter, garland, etc. [Obs.] Disrobe the images, If you find them decked with ceremonies. . . . Let no images Be hung with Cæsar's trophies. Shak.

4. A sign or prodigy; a portent. [Obs.] Cæsar, I never stood on ceremonies, Yet, now they fright me. Shak. Master of ceremonies, an officer who determines the forms to be observed, or superintends their observance, on a public occasion.

– Not to stand on ceremony, not to be ceremonious; to be familiar, outspoken, or bold.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition