Webster's English Dictionary

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ceremony

cer.e.mo.ny \'ser-*-.mo--ne-\ n [ME ceremonie, fr. MF ce`re`monie, fr. L 
   caerimonia] 1: a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, 
   protocol, or conven tion 2a: a conventional act of politeness or etiquette  
   2b: an action performed only formally with no deep significance  2c: a 
   routine action performed with elaborate pomp  3a: prescribed procedures : 
   USAGES  3b: observance of an established code of civility or politeness