rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

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adjective

ceremonial

sair-uh-MOH-nee-ul/ˌserɪˈməʊniəl/

Serving a formal ritual or observance.

The woman uses ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon across the entrance.

An official ribbon-cutting: a formally dressed young woman cuts a taut ribbon across a building entrance with oversized ceremonial scissors while an older woman beside her applauds.
Etymology
ceremoniLatinreverent rite; sacred ceremony
+alLatinof, relating to

Caerimonia referred to a sacred or reverent rite, so ceremonial originally described religious ritual. Its scope extends to formal observances and official occasions, whether religious or not.

In context

University of Toronto0:28
A ceremonial mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal or wood, intended to symbolize the authority of the institution.
The Mace: Bringing Symbolism and History to Convocation

More examples

  • Her position as patron is largely ceremonial.
  • The visitors enter through the ceremonial gateway.
  • A ceremonial bell marks the opening of the session.

Similar words

ritual
Emphasizes prescribed symbolic actions, often religious.
symbolic
Represents an idea without necessarily belonging to a ceremony.