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exaltation

American  
[eg-zawl-tey-shuhn, ek-sawl-] / ˌɛg zɔlˈteɪ ʃən, ˌɛk sɔl- /

noun

  1. the act of exalting.

  2. the state of being exalted.

  3. elation of mind or feeling, sometimes abnormal or morbid in character; rapture: euphoric exaltation.

    mystical exaltation;

    euphoric exaltation.

    Synonyms:
    euphoria, transport, exultation
  4. Chiefly British. a flight of larks.

  5. Astrology. the sign of the zodiac in which the most positive influence of a planet is expressed (opposed to fall).

  6. Chemistry. (formerly) the process of subliming.


exaltation British  
/ ˌɛɡzɔːlˈteɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act of exalting or state of being exalted

  2. a feeling of intense well-being or exhilaration; elation; rapture

  3. a flock of larks

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See ecstasy.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of exaltation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English exaltacioun, from Latin exaltātiōn- (stem of exaltātiō ). See exalt, -ation

Explanation

If the Prize Patrol showed up at your door with a check for a million dollars, you'd probably be overcome with a feeling of exaltation or overwhelming happiness. Chances are slim, so don't bank on it. Exaltation comes from the Latin exaltare meaning to "raise aloft." When you're in a state of exaltation, your emotions are raised aloft and you're swept away in happiness. Exaltation is also the term for praising someone really highly or raising someone in rank, and for a group of larks, and in astrology, the place in a planet's orbit of maximum influence. Fly an exaltation of larks above the ceremony of your exaltation to Minister of Vocabulary.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the decades that followed, her works — some 42 temple hymns and three stand-alone poems, including “The Exaltation of Inanna” — were pieced together from more than 100 surviving copies made on clay tablets.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2022

At DC Brau, that includes Exaltation, a strong dark Belgian ale released during the holidays that Hancock wanted to mellow when he formulated it.

From Washington Post • Aug. 29, 2015

Exaltation reveals itself as mere mechanism in an instant, but with the giveaway gunpowder boom, just a little bit dragged behind.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2015

The other bill, the Comprehensive Population and Exaltation of Family Bill, is scheduled to go through parliamentary discussions next month.

From Newsweek • Mar. 11, 2015

The sky was purer than all limpid thought; Insect and bird Swept through the golden texture of the air, Unheard; Our kisses were so fair they brought Exaltation to both light and bird.

From The Melody of Earth An Anthology of Garden and Nature Poems From Present-Day Poets by Various

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