ecstasy

ec·sta·sy

noun \ˈek-stə-sē\

plural ec·sta·sies

Definition of ECSTASY

1

a : a state of being beyond reason and self-control b archaic : swoon

2

: a state of overwhelming emotion; especially : rapturous delight

3

: trance; especially : a mystic or prophetic trance

4

often capitalized : a synthetic amphetamine analog C₁₁H₁₅NO₂ used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties —called also MDMA

Examples of ECSTASY

1. His performance sent the audience into ecstasies.
2. <actors are typically in ecstasy upon winning an Oscar>

Origin of ECSTASY

Middle English extasie, from Middle French, from Late Latin ecstasis, from Greek ekstasis, from existanai to derange, from ex- out + histanai to cause to stand — more at ex-, stand

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ECSTASY

Synonyms: cloud nine, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, heaven, high, intoxication, paradise, rapture, rhapsody, seventh heaven, swoon, transport

Antonyms: depression

Related Words: exaltation; blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, delight, enchantment, felicity, gladness, happiness, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, pleasure; reverie, trance; inspiration; fervor, frenzy, madness, passion; cheer, cheerfulness, exuberance, gaiety (also gayety), glee, gleefulness, jubilance, jubilation, lightheartedness

Near Antonyms: misery, sadness, unhappiness, woe, wretchedness; blues, dejection, desolation, despair, despondency, disconsolateness, disheartenment, dispiritedness, doldrums, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, forlornness, gloom, gloominess, heartsickness, melancholy, mopes

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Synonym Discussion of ECSTASY

ecstasy, rapture, transport mean intense exaltation of mind and feelings. ecstasy and rapture both suggest a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering emotion. ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (as joy, fear, rage, adoration) <religious ecstasy>. rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude <in speechless rapture>. transport applies to any powerful emotion that lifts one out of oneself and usually provokes vehement expression or frenzied action <in a transport of rage>.

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith