delight

n. [ OE. delit, OF. delit, deleit, fr. delitier, to delight. See Delight, v. t. ] 1. A high degree of gratification of mind; a high- wrought state of pleasurable feeling; lively pleasure; extreme satisfaction; joy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

A fool hath no delight in understanding. Prov. xviii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which gives great pleasure or delight. [ 1913 Webster ]

Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Licentious pleasure; lust. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Delighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Delighting. ] [ OE. deliten, OF. delitier, deleitier, F. délecter, fr. L. delectare to entice away, to delight (sc. by attracting or alluring), intens. of delicere to allure, delight; de- + lacere to entice, allure; cf. laqueus a snare. Cf. Delectate, Delicate, Delicious, Dilettante, Elicit, Lace. ] To give delight to; to affect with great pleasure; to please highly; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear. [ 1913 Webster ]

Inventions to delight the taste. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To have or take great delight or pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; -- followed by an infinitive, or by in. [ 1913 Webster ]

Love delights in praises. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

I delight to do thy will, O my God. Ps. xl. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Delectable. ] Capable of delighting; delightful. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Many a spice delightable. Rom. of R. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Endowed with delight. [ 1913 Webster ]

If virtue no delighted beauty lack. Shak.

Syn. -- Glad; pleased; gratified. See Glad. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With delight; gladly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who gives or takes delight. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Highly pleasing; affording great pleasure and satisfaction. “Delightful bowers.” Spenser. “Delightful fruit.” Milton.

Syn. -- Delicious; charming. See Delicious.

-- De*light"ful*ly, adv. -- De*light"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]