felicitation

See also: félicitation

English

Etymology

From felicitate +‎ -ion.[1]

Pronunciation
  • Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Noun

felicitation (plural felicitations)

  1. 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
  • 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
congratulation — see congratulation

References
  1. “felicitation”, in Collins English Dictionary.
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