felicitation
See also: félicitation
English
editEtymology
editFrom felicitate + -ion.[1]
Pronunciation
edit- Rhymes: -eɪʃən
Noun
editfelicitation (plural felicitations)
- The act of felicitating; a wishing of joy or happiness; congratulation.
- 1838, [Letitia Elizabeth] Landon (indicated as editor), chapter XXIV, in Duty and Inclination: […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 310:
- The worthy Doctor, rejoicing at the information, determined to set off with all dispatch for the mansion of Mrs. Boville; there to tender in person his affectionate felicitations to Mrs. De Brooke on account of the delightful discovery of his being her cousin; […]
Usage notes
edit- A man is often wished congratulations on the event of his engagement or marriage. However, it is considered rude to "congratulate" a woman (for "catching" a husband?), so she is wished "felicitations" instead. However, certain women have challenged this perceived one-sidedness as sexist.
Translations
editcongratulation — see congratulation