Delight | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

De-light', n.

noun

(de-līt'/), n. [O. Eng. delight, delyt, delite, O. Fr. delit, deleit, delict, Pr. deliet, delieg, deleig, deliech, Sp. & Pg. deleite, It. diletto, from Lat. delectare. See infra.]

Sense 1. A high degree of gratification of mind; lively pleasure or happiness; rapturous enjoyment; extreme satisfaction; joy. “Sweet airs that give delight and hurt not.” Shak.

Sense 2. That which gives great pleasure; that which affords delight.

Heaven’s last, best gift, my ever-new delight. Milton.

De-light', v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DELIGHTED; p. pr. & vb. n. DELIGHTING.] [O. Eng. delite, deliten, O. Fr. deliter, deleiter, delicter, delecher, now délecter, Pr. delitar, deleitar, delechar, delectar, Catalan delitar, deleytar, delectar, Sp. deleitar, delectar, Pg. deleitar, It. dilettare, from Lat. delectare, to entice away, to delight, sc. by attracting or alluring, v. intens. of delicere, from de and lacere, to entice, allure. See DELIGHT and LIKE.] To give delight to; to affect with great pleasure; to please highly; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear. “Inventions to delight the taste.” Shak.

De-light', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To have or take great delight or pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced;—followed by an infinitive, or by in. “Love delights in praises.” Shak.