fel

{ , n. [ G. feldspath; feld field + spath spar. ] (Min.) A name given to a group of minerals, closely related in crystalline form, and all silicates of alumina with either potash, soda, lime, or, in one case, baryta. They occur in crystals and crystalline masses, vitreous in luster, and breaking rather easily in two directions at right angles to each other, or nearly so. The colors are usually white or nearly white, flesh-red, bluish, or greenish. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The group includes the monoclinic (orthoclastic) species orthoclase or common potash feldspar, and the rare hyalophane or baryta feldspar; also the triclinic species (called in general plagioclase) microcline, like orthoclase a potash feldspar; anorthite or lime feldspar; albite or soda feldspar; also intermediate between the last two species, labradorite, andesine, oligoclase, containing both lime and soda in varying amounts. The feldspars are essential constituents of nearly all crystalline rocks, as granite, gneiss, mica, slate, most kinds of basalt and trachyte, etc. The decomposition of feldspar has yielded a large part of the clay of the soil, also the mineral kaolin, an essential material in the making of fine pottery. Common feldspar is itself largely used for the same purpose.

{ , a. Pertaining to, or consisting of, feldspar. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ AS. fela, feola; akin to G. viel, gr. &unr_;. See Full, a. ] Many. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. felix happy + -fy. ] To make happy; to felicitate. [ Obs. ] Quarles. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. felicitatus, p. p. of felicitare to felicitate, fr. felix, -icis, happy. See felicity. ] Made very happy. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness' love. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Felicitated p. pr. & vb. n. felicitating. ] [ Cf. F. féliciter. ] 1. To make very happy; to delight. [ 1913 Webster ]

What a glorious entertainment and pleasure would fill and felicitate his spirit. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To express joy or pleasure to; to wish felicity to; to call or consider (one's self) happy; to congratulate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every true heart must felicitate itself that its lot is cast in this kingdom. W. Howitt.

Syn. -- See Congratulate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. félicitation. ] The act of felicitating; a wishing of joy or happiness; congratulation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Characterized by felicity; happy; prosperous; delightful; skillful; successful; happily applied or expressed; appropriate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Felicitous words and images. M. Arnold.

-- Fe*lic"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Fe*lic"i*tous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]