felicitate

adjective

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fe·lic·i·tate | \ fi-ˈli-sə-ˌtāt

Definition of felicitate

(Entry 1 of 2)

obsolete

: made happy

felicitate

verb

felicitated; felicitating

Definition of felicitate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 archaic : to make happy

2a : to consider happy or fortunate

b : to offer congratulations to

Other Words from felicitate Synonyms Did you know? Example Sentences Learn More About felicitate

Other Words from felicitate

Verb

felicitation \ fi-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən

\ noun

felicitator \ fi-ˈli-sə-ˌtā-tər

\ noun

Did you know?

Felix, a Latin adjective meaning "happy" or "fruitful," is the root of the English words felicity and felicitate. The former, which is by far the more common of the pair, refers to the state of being happy or to something that makes people happy; like felix itself, it's also used as a name. Felicitate has always played second fiddle to its cousin, but enjoyed more use in centuries past than it does today. At one time it functioned as an adjective meaning "made happy" (William Shakespeare used it this way in King Lear), but the adjective fell out of favor and is no longer in use. Felicitate today is most commonly used as a verb especially in the English of South Asia where its "to offer congratulations" meaning is often extended beyond simple congratulations to the honoring of someone with an award or prize.