Past tense of gloat; felt smug satisfaction, especially over another's misfortune.
From unknown origin, possibly Scandinavian (compare Old Norse gloða). First appeared in English in the 1500s meaning to look or stare intently, gradually shifting to mean 'look with satisfaction.'
Gloat is interesting because it merges the visual (staring) with the emotional (satisfaction)—you can't just gloat silently, the word itself requires visible smugness. Scrooge McDuck gloating over his money bin is the perfect visual definition.
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