The feeling of lively and cheerful joy

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 ).

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. ...

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS ■ VERB feel ▪ Yet, at the same time, he felt a strange exhilaration at being part of the movement. ▪ I therefore felt no exhilaration about the way she spoke to me, even though what she had said was flattering. ▪ Yes, and we ...

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia