Exhilaration
/ɪɡˌzɪləˈreɪʃən/noun
A feeling of great happiness and exhilaration.
Did you know?The word 'exhilaration' is linked to the Latin 'exhilarare' meaning 'to cheer up', but it also carries connotations of spiritual awakening and renewal in ancient texts.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
exhilarare
“To cheer up or to make merry.”
15th Century
Middle English
exhilaracion
“The act of cheering up or bringing joy.”
16th Century
Early Modern English
exhilaration
“The state of being exhilarated; a feeling of great happiness.”
Modern English
English
exhilaration
“The modern sense of an intense state of joy or excitement.”