happiness

n. [ From Happy. ] 1. Good luck; good fortune; prosperity. [ 1913 Webster ]

All happiness bechance to thee in Milan! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 with enjoyment; the state of being happy; contentment; joyful satisfaction; felicity; blessedness. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace; -- used especially of language. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some beauties yet no precepts can declare,
For there's a happiness, as well as care. Pope.

Syn. -- Happiness, Felicity, Blessedness, Bliss. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

O happiness! our being's end and aim! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Others in virtue place felicity,
But virtue joined with riches and long life;
In corporal pleasures he, and careless ease. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

His overthrow heaped happiness upon him;
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]