Hāp'pi-ness, n.
n. [From happy.]
- An agreeable feeling or condition of the soul arising from good of any kind; the possession of those circumstances or that state of being which is attended with enjoyment; the state of being happy; felicity; blessedness; bliss; joyful satisfaction.
- Good luck; good fortune. Johnson.
- Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace.
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. O happiness, our being's end and aim. Pope. Others in virtue place felicity; But virtue joined with riches and long life, In corporal pleasures he, and careless ease. Milton. His overthrow heaped happiness upon him; For then, and not till then, he felt himself, And found the blessedness of being little. Shak. Dim sadness did not spare That time celestial visages; yet mixed With pity, violated not their bliss. Milton.