delight
UK[dɪˈlaɪt]US[dɪˈlaɪt]
n
A feeling of great pleasure
v
To give someone great pleasure and enjoyment
Morpheme Breakdown
de
light
de
completely, thoroughly
light
Etymology
The word 'delight' entered English from Old French delitier or deleitier, which itself descended from the Latin verb delectare, meaning "to charm, to please greatly". The Latin term is an intensive form of delicere ("to allure"), from de- (completely) and lacere (to entice). The spelling was later influenced by analogy with native English words like 'light', which had an obsolete sense meaning "to make glad". Thus, the modern word's literal morphemic logic combines the notion of "completely" with "gladdening", perfectly capturing its meaning of profound pleasure.
Analysis
Structure: de + light
de: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "completely, thoroughly".
light: From Old English lihtan (to make light, to relieve of a burden), with the sense of "to cheer, to gladden". Its functional role is the core root conveying the concept of joy or alleviation.
Examples
The children's faces were full of delight as they opened their presents.
He delighted the audience with his witty and engaging speech.
It was a delight to see the garden in full bloom after so much care.