Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Adj.

[Cf. F.

cérémonieux

, L.

Caerimoniosus

Consisting of outward forms and rites; ceremonial.

[In this sense ceremonial is now preferred.]

The

ceremonious

part of His worship.

South.

According to prescribed or customary rules and forms; devoted to forms and ceremonies; formally respectful; punctilious.

“Ceremonious phrases.”

Addison.

Syn. – Formal; precise; exact. See

Adj.

Consisting of outward forms and rites; as the ceremonious part of worship. [In this sense, ceremonial is now used.]

Full of ceremony or solemn forms.

According to the rules and forms prescribed or customary; civil; formally respectful. Ceremonious phrases.

Formal; according to the rules of civility; as, to take a ceremonious leave.

Formal; exact; precise; too observant of forms.

ceremonious ‎(comparative more ceremonious, superlative most ceremonious)

Fond of ceremony, ritual or strict etiquette; punctilious
- 1608, Thomas Dekker, Lanthorne and Candle-Light in The Guls Hornbook and The Belman of London, J.M. Dent, 1936, p. 163,
  […] some Writers do almost nothing contrary to the custome, and some by vertue of that Priviledge, dare doe any thing. I am neither of that first order, nor of this last. The one is too fondly-ceremonious, the other too impudently audacious.
- 1958, C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, Harcourt Brace & Co., 1986, Chapter III, p. 23,
  Ancient and oriental cultures are in many ways more conventional, more ceremonious, and more courteous than our own.
Characterized by ceremony or rigid formality
- 1610, William Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale, Act III
  O, the sacrifice! / How ceremonious, solemn and unearthly / It was i' the offering!
- 1924, Herman Melville, Billy Budd, London: Constable & Co., Chapter 17,
  Captain Vere advanced to meet him, […] and interrupting the other's wonted ceremonious salutation, said, "Nay, tell me how it is with yonder man," […]