ceremonialist
|cer-e-mo-ni-al-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˌsɛrəˈmoʊniəlɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌsɛrəˈməʊnɪəlɪst/
person who manages or performs formal rites
Etymology
'ceremonialist' originates from the adjective 'ceremonial' plus the agent suffix '-ist', where 'ceremonial' comes from 'ceremony' and ultimately from Latin 'caerimonia' meaning 'religious observance'.
'ceremonialist' changed from Middle English/Modern English formations based on Old French 'ceremonie' and Latin 'caerimonia' -> English 'ceremony' -> adjective 'ceremonial' -> noun 'ceremonialist' by adding '-ist'.
Initially linked to 'religious observance' (the Latin root), the term evolved to denote a person specializing in or performing formal rites and ceremonial protocol, i.e., 'a specialist in ceremonies'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who officiates at, arranges, or is an expert in formal ceremonies and ritual observances; someone responsible for ceremonial protocol.
The ceremonialist coordinated the state funeral to ensure every rite followed protocol.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/19 00:29