delectation
/ˌdiːlɛkˈteɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
delectatio — delight, charm, pleasure
Overview
Meaning Now
- Great pleasure or delight.
Literal older meaning
the act of pleasing or delighting
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
delectacioun
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word entered English via French during the late Middle English period, primarily used in theological and courtly contexts to describe both physical and spiritual joy.
Evolution
- Latin
delectatio
“delight, pleasure”
- Old French
delectacion
“delight”
- Middle English
delectacioun
“pleasure”
- Early Modern English
delectation
“great pleasure”
Connections
Word parts
delect-
root
to delight, to charm
-ation
suffix
forms nouns denoting an action or result
Related across languages
French
délectation
delight
Spanish
delectación
delight
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Related to delectation
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.