Processional

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. Referring to an orderly sequence that occurs during ceremonies, this term includes both the organized movement of participants and the ceremonial music or activities that accompany the event
2. This word denotes a structured formal act occurring in ceremonies, encompassing the ceremonial progression of individuals as well as the associated music and events
3. This term describes a formal and organized series of events during a ceremony, involving the movement of individuals along with the related music and ceremonial activities

Etymology: "Processional" is a plain formation: the noun "procession" with the adjective-forming suffix "-al" added to it. "Procession" came into English from Old French, which took it from Latin "processio", a noun built on "procedere", "to go forward". The suffix has a longer path. It goes back to Latin "-alis", which Old French reshaped into "-el" and "-al", and English took in Middle English as "-al", the same ending found in words like "national" and "musical". The result describes anything connected with a procession, the slow, orderly movement of people in a ceremony. As an adjective it often qualifies things such as a hymn, a march, or a service, and as a noun it names a hymn or piece of music sung or played during such a procession.

Synonyms: ceremonial, ritualistic, formal, pageant, parade

Antonyms: informal, casual, spontaneous, unstructured, ad-lib