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Happiness - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Happiness : (noun)
1: state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from
contentment to intense joy [syn: felicity] [ant: unhappiness]
2: emotions experienced when in a state of well-being [ant: sadness]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Happiness : \Hap"pi*ness\, n. [Based on Happy.]
1. Good luck; good fortune; prosperity.
All happiness bechance to thee in Milan! --Shak.
2. An agreeable feeling or condition of the soul arising from
good fortune or propitious happening of any kind; the
possession of those circumstances or that state of being
which is attended enjoyment; the state of being happy;
contentment; joyful satisfaction; felicity; blessedness.
3. Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace; -- used especially
of language.
Some beauties yet no precepts can declare, For
there's a happiness, as well as care. --Pope.
Syn: Happiness, Felicity, Blessedness, Bliss.
Usage: Happiness is generic, and is applied to almost every
kind of enjoyment except that of the animal appetites;
felicity is a more formal word, and is used more
sparingly in the same general sense, but with elevated
associations; blessedness is applied to the most
refined enjoyment arising from the purest social,
benevolent, and religious affections; bliss denotes
still more exalted delight, and is applied more
appropriately to the joy anticipated in heaven.
O happiness! our being's end and aim! --Pope.
Others in virtue place felicity, But virtue
joined with riches and long life; In corporal
pleasures he, and careless ease. --Milton.
His overthrow heaped happiness upon him; For
then, and not till then, he felt himself, And
found the blessedness of being little. --Shak.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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Example Usage of Happiness |
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KirbyLane16: @GabrielaElena agreed! I might shed a tear of Happiness if he really did propose :) |
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josiefoodstop: Smell of chocolate baking is just Happiness!! |
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vincentleleux: A real assault on children's Happiness http://bit.ly/4R525V |
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