All day long the name hung atop the board, lending an unreal, fictional quality to the proceedings.

Sixteen sticks lend a certain weight to the stick bag, if not the proceedings.

As the group's leader, his full, black, and square-cut beard lent a great deal of solemnity to the proceedings.

The women are supposedly there to lend an air of grace to the proceedings.

It does lend a certain entertaining randomness to the proceedings.

Tempos were generally on the quick side, which sometimes lent a mundane, businesslike air to the proceedings.

Like lighting, sound creates atmosphere and lends authority to the proceedings.

American diplomats would help mediate the findings, she said, thus lending an international character to the proceedings.

By her very presence, she lent solem-nity to the proceedings.

The six note left hand rhythm is literally punched out to lend a strong, exultant ring to the proceedings.