The superlative form of 'happy,' meaning the most joyful, content, or satisfied state possible.
From Old English 'hap,' meaning luck or fortune, plus the suffix '-y' to make an adjective. 'Happy' originally meant fortunate or lucky, not necessarily joyful. The superlative 'happiest' adds '-est,' the standard English superlative ending. Over time, the meaning shifted from lucky to joyful and satisfied.
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