solemnised

Solemnised is the past tense and past participle of the verb solemnise, primarily used in British English. It means to perform or undergo a formal, ceremonial act that confers official status or recognition on something. The most common usage concerns marriages: to solemnise a marriage is to conduct the wedding ceremony and to set the marriage on a legally recognised footing.

Etymology and spelling variants: The verb originates from the adjective solemn, via the verb form solemnise; regional spellings differ, with American English rendering the verb as solemnize and the noun as solemnization. The corresponding past tense forms are solemnised (UK) and solemnized (US).

Contexts and examples: Beyond marriages, the term can apply to solemnising other formal acts, such as the solemnisation of oaths or the signing of documents during a formal ceremony. In law and religious practice, the act is often prescribed by statute or tradition, and the ceremony may be civil or religious, performed by registrars, clergy, or other authorized officials. The record of a solemnisation is typically the moment the ceremony takes place, after which the status is legally recognized.

See also: This term is commonly linked to wedding ceremonies and other formal rites; see also matrimony and civil ceremony.