Adjective

(er)

Of people: regal, dignified; worthy of respect.

* 1900 , , The House Behind the Cedars , Chapter I,

Warwick's first glance had revealed the fact that the young woman was strikingly handsome, with a stately beauty seldom encountered.

Of movement: dignified; deliberate, unhurried.

* 2010 , "An own goal on gay rights", The Economist , 14 Oct 2010:

And much as they welcome his promise to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell”, they are dismayed by the stately pace and bungled tactics of his attempts to do so.

Imposing; grand, impressive.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Magnificent, luxurious, splendid.

* 1764 , :

Though poor the peasant’s hut, his feasts though small,

He sees his little lot the lot of all;

Sees no contiguous palace rear its head

To shame the meanness of his humble shed;

No costly lord the sumptuous banquet deal

To make him loathe his vegetable meal;

* {{quote-book

, year=1829 , author= , title=The Alhambra citation , passage=I wandered on until I came to a sumptuous palace with a garden adorned with fountains and fishponds, and groves and flowers, and orchards laden with delicious fruit.}}

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=April 21 , author=Jonathan Jurejko , title=Newcastle 3-0 Stoke , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Cabaye pulled all the strings in a dominant home performance and capped a majestic individual display with a sumptuous first-time finish into the far corner for his second goal of the afternoon.}}