exult
UK[ɪɡˈzʌlt]US[ɪɡˈzʌlt]
v
to feel and show great happiness or pride, especially because of a success
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
(s)ult
ex
out
(s)ult
to leap
Etymology
the verb 'exult' originates from the latin exsultāre, an intensive form of exsilīre, meaning 'to leap up'. this compound is built from ex- ('out, upward') and salīre ('to jump, leap'), a root of proto-indo-european origin related to motion. the literal sense of leaping out or up evolved metaphorically to signify an outward, exuberant display of joy. thus, the modern abstract meaning captures the feeling of one's spirit 'leaping out' in triumphant happiness.
Analysis
Structure: ex (out) + (s)ult (to leap)
ex- (latin prefix meaning 'out, upward'); (s)ult (from latin root salīre, 'to leap')
Examples
the fans exulted in their team's championship victory.
she could not help but exult when she received the promotion.
it is unseemly to exult over a defeated opponent.