jubilant
Meaning
feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.
Structure
Usage
the jubilant crowd cheered as the team lifted the championship trophy.
she was jubilant after receiving the news of her promotion.
a jubilant atmosphere filled the room on new year's eve.
Etymology
the word 'jubilant' originates from the latin verb jubilare, meaning 'to shout for joy' or 'to call out', which itself is believed to be an onomatopoeic formation imitating a joyful cry. this root passed into late latin as jubilant-, the present participle stem of jubilare. entering english via french in the 17th century, the suffix '-ant' was appended, a common adjectival ending denoting a state or condition. thus, the literal sense of 'shouting for joy' evolved into the modern abstract meaning of being filled with exultant and triumphant happiness.
Analysis
jubil (from latin jubilare, meaning 'to shout for joy'); ant (a suffix of latin origin via french, forming adjectives meaning 'performing or being in a specified state').