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.

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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

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Synonym Usage

See ecstasy.

Other Word Forms

• hyperexaltation
  noun
• self-exaltation
  noun
• superexaltation
  noun

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.

Example Sentences

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 first, "Exaltation," is very original, though neither the beginning nor the ending is particularly striking.

From Contemporary American Composers Being a Study of the Music of This Country, Its Present Conditions and Its Future, with Critical Estimates and Biographies of the Principal Living Composers; and an Abundance of Portraits, Fac-simile Musical Autographs, and Compositions by Hughes, Rupert

Related Words

• rapture