gladdening

gladdening

1. present participle and gerund of gladden

gladdening (countable and uncountable, plural gladdenings)

1. A becoming glad.
   • 1822, John Galt, Sir Andrew Wylie, of that ilk, page 101:

     After the buoyancy and gladdenings of her joyous welcome had subsided, she requested that he would make a point of coming to her ball — the same to which Miss Cunningham and her aunt were invited.

gladdening (comparative more gladdening, superlative most gladdening)

1. Causing feelings of gladness.
   • 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter I, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 1:

     Now, the cheerful sun looks in mockingly; we rejoice not in the face of day; it brings not hope, but memory to our minds; and we only watch the gladdening beams to think that they are shining on the narrow grave.