[cer.e.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [ME ceremonie, fr. MF ceremonie, fr. L caerimonia] (14c) 1: a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention "the marriage ~"
2. a: a conventional act of politeness or etiquette "the ~ of introduction" b: an action performed only formally with no deep significance c: a routine action performed with elaborate pomp 3 a: prescribed procedures: usages "the ~ attending an inauguration" b: observance of an established code of civility or politeness "opened the door without ~ and strode in"