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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Solempnise,) Solemnise, -ize, v. Also: solempnyse, -ice, sollempnis, solemnesse. P.p. solemnizit, -et(t, -ed, solemnisat, -eiset, solempnisit, -izat(t)(e, solempnist. [ME solempnis(e (Wyclif), -es(e (Lydgate), -yz(e (1460), e.m.E. solempnise (Caxton), solemnize (1514), OF sollempnizer (early 14th c. in Larousse), med. L. solemnizare; Solem(p)n(e adj. Cf. also Solem(p)(ne v.]

1. To honour, celebrate or commemorate with appropriate rites or ceremonies. 1546–7 Corr. M. Lorraine 174.
And within thir xx dayis the young kyng beis crounit and the auld kingis beriall be solempnisat 1567 Dunferm. Ann. 215.
The coronation & inauguration of our sovirane James … was maid and solempnizat the xxix day of July a1578 Pitsc. I 360 h. of ch.
Hou the King of Scotland consentit to marie the King of France dochter. The King of Scotland solemnized

2. specif. To celebrate, perform (a marriage) (band of matrimony). Also (once) transf., of banns. = Solem(p)(ne v. 1 a.Chiefly in p.p.pres. 1562-3 Winȝet I 85/3.
And quhy will ȝe nocht solemnize ȝour band of matrimonie except thai be proclamit thre bannis afoir? 1567 Buccleuch Mun. II 222.
That Thomas Ker … suld haif to spous compleit and solempnice the haly band of matrimonie in face of holy kirk with Elizabeyth Scot a1578 Pitsc. I 48/12.
Earle James … haistit … and caussit sollempnis the band of matrimoney [sc. between his son and his niece]p.p. 1469 Charter (Reg. H.) C.O. No. 64.
[That] the forsade mariage betuix thare forsade childer be complete solempnizate and fulfillit 1482–3 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 34.
For the quhilk mariag to be … solempnist in the face of haly kirk 1486 Lennox Mun. 127.
Solempnisit 1560 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 5.
Mariage may be solemnizat betwixt parties beand of second, thrid, and ferd degries of affinitie or consanguinitie a1578 Pitsc. I 59/8.
Solemnizet a1578 Pitsc. I 365/9.
Solemnizett 1593 Acts IV 24/2.
Solempnizatt 1595 Mill Mediæv. Plays 174.
That na mariages sall be solemnizit within the kirk … vpon the Sabboth day 1607 Dundonald Par. Rec. 154.
His mariage to be solemneiset with the said Jeane 1659 Cramond Kirk S. I 13 Nov.
Quhen thair is preaching on the week day mariages shall be solemnized on the said lecture daytransf. 1627 Edgar Old Church Life II 145n.
Compeirit William Wod and Jeane Millar, and gave in their bands of marriage to be solempnizat

b. To cause a marriage ceremony to be performed. 1600-1610 Melvill 804.
The Erle of Dumbar … wes about solemnizeing his daughter's marriage most magnificlie with the Lord Walden

c. Of a man, or man and woman: To solemnise marriage (matrimony, the band of matrimony, etc.), to celebrate one's marriage with the due church rites, to undergo a marriage ceremony. Also const. with (a woman). Cf. Solem(p)(ne v. 1 b.(1) 1565 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 66.
Mr. John [Frude] had perswadit them to solemnize the said mariage, ther bands not being proclaimit 1572 Crail B. Ct. MS 19 Sept.
The said Jhone sall godwyllyng solempnyse the band of matrimony 1604-9 Grahame Anat. Hum. 59b.
The bryd-grome going with his bryde to solemnesse matrimony(2) 1591–2 Elgin Rec. II 23.
Compeiritt Alexander Dunbar … and … promeist to solempneize mariage with Mariorye Straquhyn his lemmane