CEREMONY

noun (plural -nies) Etymology: Middle English ceremonie, from Middle French ceremonie, from Latin caerimonia Date: 14th century a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention , 2. a conventional act of politeness or etiquette , an action performed only formally with no deep significance, a routine action performed with elaborate pomp, 3. prescribed procedures ; usages , observance of an established code of civility or politeness