Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

delectation

/ˌdiːlɛkˈteɪʃən/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.85 in modern English

Syllables: delec-ta-tion
IPA: /ˌdiːlɛkˈteɪʃən/

14

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Great pleasure; delight.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Do not let us men despise these instincts because we cannot feel them. These women were made for our comfort and delectation, gentlemen,—with all the rest of the minor animals."

Etymology

Attested from the mid 14th century, from Old French delectation (“enjoyment”), from Latin dēlectātiōnem, accusative singular of dēlectātiō, from the verb Latin dēlectō (“to delight, charm, please”), frequentative of dēliciō, from de- (“away”) + laciō (“to lure, to deceive”), from Proto-Italic *lakjō (“to draw, pull”), of unknown ultimate origin. By surface analysis, delect + -ation or delectate + -ion. Related to delight and delicious.

Origin

Source language: Old French

Word Breakdown

Root: delectation, dēlectātiōnem, dēlectō, *lakjō
Suffix: delectate

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˌdiːlɛkˈteɪʃən/

Usage

Inflected Forms

delectations (plural)

Phrases

morose delectation

Synonyms

delection enjoyment delight

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization head station nation location

Questions

How do you pronounce delectation?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌdiːlɛkˈteɪʃən/.
What does delectation mean?: Great pleasure; delight.
Where does delectation come from?: It is traced to Old French.

How to pronounce delectation

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “delectation”.
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