Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The act of gratulating or felicitating; congratulation.
  • noun Gratified feeling; the sense of gratification; rejoicing.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The act of gratulating or felicitating; congratulation.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A feeling of happiness and satisfaction; joy, especially at one's good fortune.
  • noun archaic The expression of pleasure at someone's else's success or luck; congratulation.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin grātulātiōnem, from grātulārī.

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Examples

  • I'm rather fond of the word gratulation, which the OED defines as 'a feeling of gratification, joy, or exultation; rejoicing in heart 'but also includes a note that states that it implies self-congratulation upon some good fortune.

    OUPblog 2008

  • I'm really quite pleased I didn't have get a gratulation/congradulations cake when I gradumulated.

    The Future's So Bright.. Jen 2009

  • The frank and bold voice of Richard was heard in joyous gratulation.

    The Talisman 2008

  • Many a hand of gratulation was thrust out to his grasp, trembling as it was with anxiety, and finally with delight; his voice faltering as he replied, ‘Aye, aye, I kend Alan was the lad to make a spoon or spoil a horn.’

    Redgauntlet 2008

  • While he was in this state of self-gratulation, Richard burst into the circle, attended, indeed, only by two men, but in his own headlong energies an irresistible host.

    The Talisman 2008

  • Many were the words of gratulation and good-luck which were bestowed on

    Chronicles of the Canongate 2008

  • Suppose these points — and none of them depend upon Mr. Wolfe at all — and what becomes of the glory of the young hero, of the great minister who discovered him, of the intoxicated nation which rose up frantic with self-gratulation at the victory?

    The Virginians 2006

  • But, in the midst of this chuckle of self-gratulation, some figure goes by which Thersites too can love and admire.

    Representative Men 2006

  • Imagine beacons flaming, rockets blazing, yards manned, ships and forts saluting with their thunder, every steamer and vessel, every town and village from Ramsgate to Gravesend, swarming with happy gratulation; young girls with flowers, scattering roses before her; staid citizens and aldermen pushing and squeezing and panting to make the speech, and bow the knee, and bid her welcome!

    Roundabout Papers 2006

  • One, throwing down his firelock, clasped his leader so fast round the knees, that he was unable to extricate himself, muttering, at the same time, a torrent of Gaelic gratulation, which every now and then rose into a sort of scream of gladness.

    Rob Roy 2005

Comments

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  • The young pursue sense saturation,

    But lusts will abate with maturation.

    We welcome surcease

    Of threats to our peace

    And pray for a bower of gratulation.

    January 25, 2016