gratulation Now somewhat rare.
(grætjuːˈleɪʃən)
Also 5 gratulacyon, 6 -acion, Sc. -atioun.
[ad. L. grātulātiōn-em, n. of action f. grātulārī to gratulate.]
1. A feeling of gratification, joy, or exultation; rejoicing in heart. (Now only with mixture of sense 3, implying self-congratulation upon some good fortune.)
| 1482 Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 106 Y wote not whedir sorow or deuocyon or compassion or gratulacyon drawyn nowe myne onhappy soule dyuers weyes. 1577 tr. Bullinger's Decades (1592) 537 With great ioie of hart and godlie gratulation. 1644 Milton Areop. (Arb.) 31 The joy and gratulation which it brings to all who wish and promote their Countries liberty. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. iii. §3 That gratulation and delight in beholding the virtuous deeds of other men. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 141 ¶9 You would look with some gratulation on our success. 1809 W. Irving Knickerb. iii. ii. (1820) 169 Listening with silent gratulation to the clucking of his hens. 1842 Miall in Nonconf. II. 1 Our great and growing success cannot but be to ourselves a matter of gratulation. 1885 C. Mercier in Mind X. 16 Gratulation is the feeling of which congratulation is the expression. |
2. Manifestation or expression of joy; esp. with a and pl., an instance of this; a rejoicing.
| 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Thess. 6 It is more worthy gratulacions and reioycinges. 1649 Roberts Clavis Bibl. 387 The mutual gratulations and contentment of Christ and the Church in one another. 1741 Middleton Cicero I. iv. 262 The people came out to receive him with all imaginable gratulations and expressions of joy for his happy return. 1863 M. Howitt F. Bremer's Greece I. viii. 259 After an hour's entertainment and gratulation, every one went home. 1874 Motley Barneveld (1879) II. xiii. 82 The coronation..had gone on with pomp and popular gratulations. 1895 Atlantic Monthly LXXVI. 91 The..gratulations with which the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America was lately heralded. |
3. The expression of pleasure or gratification at a person's success, good fortune, or the like; compliment, felicitation, congratulation.
| 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. ii. 316 To whom where many of y⊇ nobles resorted in the waye of gratulacion, & of kepyng hym coumpaignie. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 42 After this Complement, and some gratulation for the Kings victorie, they fell to their errand. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. ix. 200 As a gratulation for the one, and a deprecation from the other. 1807 Crabbe Parish Reg. ii. Wks. 1834 II. 184 The crowd Stood humbly round, and gratulation bow'd. 1827 Scott in Croker Papers 25 Apr. (1884), I cannot but add my sincere gratulation upon your keeping a good house over your head. 1828 ― F.M. Perth xxxiv, The victors had the general meed of gratulation. |
b. An instance of this; a complimentary or congratulatory speech.
| 1614 Raleigh Hist. World ii. (1634) 492 When Diagoras had seen his 3 Sons crowned for their severall victories in those games, one came running with this gratulation..‘Die Diagoras for thou shalt not clime up to heaven’. 1631 Massinger Believe as You List ii. i, Their gratulations for his safetie. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 97 ¶21 Gratulations pour in from every quarter. 1848 Clough Bothie ix. 143 Be it recounted in song..Who gave what at the wedding, the gifts and fair gratulations. 1891 J. Winsor Columbus viii. 177 True science places no gratulations higher than those of its own conscience. |
† 4. A joyful greeting; a welcome. Obs.
| 1589 (title) A Skeltonicall Salutation, Or Condigne gratulation. 1630 Tinker of Turvey, Gent. T. 58 Hearing such a scholler-like gratulation, seeing by this salute, that [etc.]. a 1638 Mede Disc. Luke Wks. (1672) i. xxiv. 91 Secondly, a Gratulation rendring the reason thereof, Because of Peace on Earth. [1815 Lamb Lett. (1888) I. 299 He was one of those who would have hailed your return..with the complacent gratulations of a philosopher anxious to promote knowledge as leading to happiness.] |
† 5. Expression of thanks, thanksgiving; also, an instance of this. Obs.
| 1579 Fenton Guicciard. 352 The King vsing towards them at their departure a very small gratulation [It. piccoli segni di gratitudine] of their seruices past. 1592 Greene Groat's-w. Wit (1617) 26 Roberto..returned him thankefull gratulations. a 1677 Manton Serm. Ps. cxix. 65 Wks. 1872 VII. 200 Warm in petitions, but cold, raw, and infrequent in gratulations. |
† 6. Reward, recompense; = gratification 3.
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. viii. vii. §50. 408 The Duke..forthwith granted their desires: whereupon they drew out store of gold to present him in way of gratulation. 1628 Wither Brit. Rememb. vi. 505 He askt, and had a willing gratulation, From one both rich and of another Nation. |