ecstasy

rapture

noun. extreme happiness and delight in something

Word Origin & History

late 14c., "in a frenzy or stupor, fearful, excited," from Old French estaise "ecstasy, rapture," from Late Latin extasis, from Greek ekstasis "entrancement, astonishment; any displacement," in New Testament "a trance," from existanai "displace, put out of place," also "drive out of one's mind" (existanai phrenon), from ek "out" (see ex-) + histanai "to place, cause to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet).

Used by 17c. mystical writers for "a state of rapture that stupefied the body while the soul contemplated divine things," which probably helped the meaning shift to "exalted state of good feeling" (1610s). Slang use for the drug 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine dates from 1985.

Example Sentences forecstasy

She came down to breakfast singing the words in a sort of ecstasy.

Until that ecstasy of release should come, he would do his duty,—yes, his duty.

But his wife, her face aglow, clasped her hands in an ecstasy of delight.

The boy fell into the ecstasy of content that always came with Sidney's presence.

The very odour of those plums in Johnny's nostrils was the equivalent of ecstasy.

She must have tones of admiration, and looks of ecstasy, for every occasion.

Nobody spoke, but the listeners exchanged glances of ecstasy.

More than fifty people were awaiting her in the street in a state of ecstasy.

Firstly there is the witness of that ecstasy of mood of which we have spoken.

For Tobe was rolling about the room in an ecstasy of uproarious mirth.

ecstasy

joy

joyfulness

nirvana

passion

passions

peace of mind

rapture

trance

ecstasy

More words related to ecstasy