Stately, a. [Compar. Statelier; superl. Stateliest.]
Evincing state or dignity; lofty; majestic; grand; as, statelymanners; a stately gait. "The stately homes of England!" Mrs. Hemans. "Filled with stately temples." Prescott. Here is a stately style indeed! Shak.
Syn. -- Lofty; dignified; majestic; grand; august; magnificent.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Stately, adv.
Majestically; loftily. Milton.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for stately; he lists it under awful.
Where he writes about it:
We speak of an exalted station, a grand mountain, an imposing presence, a majestic cathedral, a noble mien, a solemn litany, a stately march, an august assembly, the awful scene of the Judgment Day. — from awful