felicity

¹ American  

[fi-lis-i-tee] / fɪˈlɪs ɪ ti /

noun

plural

felicities

1. the state of being happy, especially in a high degree; bliss.

   marital felicity.

2. an instance of this.

3. a source of happiness.

4. a skillful faculty.

   felicity of expression.

5. an instance or display of this.

   the many felicities of the poem.

6. Archaic. good fortune.

---

Felicity ² American  

[fi-lis-i-tee] / fɪˈlɪs ɪ ti /

Also Felicita

noun

1. a female given name, form of Felicia.

---

felicity British  

/ fɪˈlɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. happiness; joy

2. a cause of happiness

3. an appropriate expression or style

4. the quality or display of such expressions or style

5. philosophy appropriateness (of a speech act). The performative I appoint you ambassador can only possess felicity if uttered by one in whom the authority for such appointments is vested

---

Related Words

See happiness.

Other Word Forms

• nonfelicity noun

Etymology

Origin of felicity

1350–1400; Middle English felicite (from Anglo-French ) from Latin fēlīcitās, equivalent to fēlīci- (stem of fēlīx ) “happy” + -tās -ty ²

Example Sentences

Blackhawk’s account of Native Americans over the past five centuries is among five nominees for the Mark Lynton History Prize, a $10,000 award given for work which “combines intellectual distinction with felicity of expression.”

From Seattle Times

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Ekhtiari said the celebration belongs to everyone and is a symbol of “felicity, respect to humanity and nature as well as human beings .”

From Seattle Times

Through whatever felicities of matching actor to well-written role, the cast is shown off to particularly good advantage.

From Los Angeles Times

I wish his telescopes and mathematical instruments, however, may secure his felicity.

From Literature

In other words, “Luck” takes things that are intangible — in this case, random felicity and affliction — and imagines them as palpable.

From Washington Post