happiness

Etymology

From happy + -ness.

noun

  1. (uncountable) The emotion of being happy; joy.
    Yes, Aline, true happiness comes of true love, and true love should be independent of external influences. 1877, W. S. Gilbert, The Sorcerer
  2. (archaic, uncountable) prosperity, thriving, wellbeing.
    We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. 1776, United States Declaration of Independence
  3. (archaic, uncountable) Good luck; good fortune.
  4. (obsolete, countable) Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace; — used especially of language.

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