Elate

/ɪˈleɪt/ verb

Definition

To make someone very happy and excited; to fill with joy or pride.

Etymology

From Latin elatus, past participle of efferre meaning 'to carry out or elevate.' The prefix e- means 'out,' so literally 'to lift up.' Meaning shifted from physical elevation to emotional elevation.

Kelly Says

Elate originally meant literally to lift something up, but languages love metaphors—so our emotions got 'lifted up' by happiness, creating the meaning we use today!

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