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ceremony

cer·e·mo·ny [ sérrə mnee ] (plural cer·e·mo·nies)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. ritual for formal occasion: a formal event to celebrate or solemnize something, e.g. a wedding, an official opening, or an anniversary

2. formal etiquette: the forms of behavior that are expected or observed on a formal occasion

3. social gesture: a polite social gesture or ritual performed for the sake of convention

[14th century. < Latin caerimonia]

stand on ceremony to behave in a formal manner or insist on formality

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