- pleasure (n.)
- 1390, "condition of enjoyment," from O.Fr. plesir "enjoyment, delight" (12c.), from plaisir (v.) "to please," from L. placere (see please (v.)). Ending alt. in Eng. 14c. by infl. of words in -ure (measure, etc.). Meaning "sensual enjoyment as the chief object of life" is attested from 1526. The verb meaning "to give pleasure to" is recorded from c.1559; sexual sense by c.1616.