delectation (n.)
mid-14c., delectacioun, "great pleasure, particularly of the senses" (but in Middle English also spiritual and intellectual), from Old French delectation "enjoyment" (12c.) and directly from Latin delectationem (nominative delectatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of delectare "to allure, delight, charm, please," frequentative of delicere "entice" (see delicious). Also in theology "the second stage of sin, pleasure in contemplating sin, desire for sin" (mid-15c.).
Entries linking to delectation
c. 1300, "delightful to the senses, pleasing in the highest degree" (implied in deliciously), from Old French delicios (Modern French délicieux), from Late Latin deliciosus "delicious, delicate," from Latin delicia (plural deliciae) "a delight, allurement, charm," from delicere "to allure, entice," from de- "away" (see de-) + lacere "to lure, entice," which is of uncertain origin.
Especially, but not exclusively, of taste. Related: Deliciously. As a name of a type of apple, attested from 1903, first grown by Jesse Hiatt of Iowa, U.S.A. Colloquial shortening delish is attested from 1920.
updated on March 07, 2019
Dictionary entries near delectation
delamination
Delaware
delay
dele
delectable
delectation
delegate
delegation
delete
deleterious
deletion
