Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CER'E-MO-NY, n. [L. Sp. It. Port. ceremonia; Fr. ceremonie.]

1. Outward rite; external form in religion.
2. Forms of civility; rules established by custom for regulating social intercourse.
3. Outward forms of state; the forms prescribed or established by order or custom, serving for the purpose of civility or magnificence, as in levees of princes, the reception of embassadors, &c. Master of ceremonies, an officer who superintends the reception of embassadors. A person who regulates the forms to be observed by the company or attendants on a public occasion.