ecstasy

[ek-stuh-see]

noun

plural

ecstasies 

1. rapturous delight.

2. an overpowering emotion or exaltation; a state of sudden, intense feeling.

   Synonyms: elation, bliss, delight

3. the frenzy of poetic inspiration.

4. mental transport or rapture from the contemplation of divine things.

5. (often initial capital letter),  MDMA.

ecstasy

/ ˈɛkstəsɪ /

noun

1. (often plural) a state of exalted delight, joy, etc; rapture

2. intense emotion of any kind

   an ecstasy of rage

3. psychol overpowering emotion characterized by loss of self-control and sometimes a temporary loss of consciousness: often associated with orgasm, religious mysticism, and the use of certain drugs

4. archaic,  a state of prophetic inspiration, esp of poetic rapture

5. slang,  3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine; MDMA: a powerful drug that acts as a stimulant and can produce hallucinations

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecstasy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English extasie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin extasis, from Greek ékstasis “displacement, trance,” equivalent to ek- ec- + stásis stasis

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecstasy¹

C14: from Old French extasie, via Medieval Latin from Greek ekstasis displacement, trance, from existanai to displace, from ex- out + histanai to cause to stand

Synonym Study

Ecstasy, rapture, transport, exaltation share a sense of being taken or moved out of one's self or one's normal state, and entering a state of intensified or heightened feeling. Ecstasy suggests an intensification of emotion so powerful as to produce a trancelike dissociation from all but the single overpowering feeling: an ecstasy of rage, grief, love. Rapture shares the power of ecstasy but most often refers to an elevated sensation of bliss or delight, either carnal or spiritual: the rapture of first love. Transport, somewhat less extreme than either ecstasy or rapture, implies a strength of feeling that results in expression of some kind: They jumped up and down in a transport of delight. Exaltation refers to a heady sense of personal well-being so powerful that one is lifted above normal emotional levels and above normal people: wild exaltation at having finally broken the record.

Example Sentences

On the alleged syndicate members they arrested, police said they found 25 sachets of marijuana and six ecstasy pills.

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The orchestra sounded rapt and ready for ecstasy Thursday.

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If Suede’s early work captured the ecstasy and collapse of first love, “Antidepressants” is about the more precarious work of maintenance.

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The pill in my pocket forgotten, I had found all the ecstasy I needed.

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“Who can identify with a caricatured mob dancing in idiot ecstasy to greet the extraterrestrials?,”

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Related Words

• elation 
• euphoria 
• happiness 
• joy 
• rapture