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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Happiness \Hap"pi*ness\, n. [From {Happy}.]
1. Good luck; good fortune; prosperity.
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All happiness bechance to thee in Milan! --Shak.
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2. An agreeable feeling or condition of the soul arising from
good fortune or propitious happening of any kind; the
possession of those circumstances or that state of being
which is attended with enjoyment; the state of being
happy; contentment; joyful satisfaction; felicity;
blessedness.
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3. Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace; -- used especially
of language.
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Some beauties yet no precepts can declare,
For there's a happiness, as well as care. --Pope.

Syn: {Happiness}, {Felicity}, {Blessedness}, {Bliss}.

Usage: Happiness is generic, and is applied to almost every
kind of enjoyment except that of the animal appetites;
felicity is a more formal word, and is used more
sparingly in the same general sense, but with elevated
associations; blessedness is applied to the most
refined enjoyment arising from the purest social,
benevolent, and religious affections; bliss denotes
still more exalted delight, and is applied more
appropriately to the joy anticipated in heaven.
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O happiness! our being's end and aim! --Pope.
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Others in virtue place felicity,
But virtue joined with riches and long life;
In corporal pleasures he, and careless ease.
--Milton.
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His overthrow heaped happiness upon him;
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little.
--Shak.
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