The feeling of lively and cheerful joy

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 The act of enlivening the spirits; the act of making glad or cheerful; a gladdening. 2 The state of being enlivened, cheerful or exhilarated.

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Exhilaration \Ex*hil`a*ra"tion\, n. [L., exhilaratio.] The act of enlivening the spirits; the act of making glad or cheerful; a gladdening. The state of being enlivened or cheerful. Exhilaration hath some affinity with joy, though it be a much lighter motion. ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. the feeling of lively and cheerful joy; "he could hardly conceal his excitement when she agreed" [syn: excitement ]

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1620s, from Late Latin exhilarationem (nominative exhilaratio ) "a gladdening," noun of action from past participle stem of exhilarare (see exhilarate ).

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia