Search the Dictionary

hap, luck, or fortune; lucky; fortunate; successful; prosperous; satisfying desire; as, a happy expedient; a happy effort; a happy venture; a happy omen. Chymists have been more happy in finding experiments than the causes of them. Boyle.

Full of chaps; cleft; gaping; open.

Lucky, without judgment or contrivance. [Obs.] Spenser.

Unhappy. [Obs.]

Exceedingly happy. Shak.

Not happy or fortunate; unfortunate; unlucky; as, affairs have taken an unhappy turn.

alamitous; afflictive; hurtful; as, adverse fates, adverse circumstances, things adverse. Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune. Southey. Adverse possession (Law), a possession of real property avowedly contrary to some claim of title in another person. Abbott…

Companionship; acquaintance. [Obs.] About forty years past, I began a happy affinity with William Cranmer. Burton.

stinctive prevision; foretaste; antepast; as, the anticipation of the joys of heaven. The happy anticipation of renewed existence in company with the spirits of the just. Thodey.

To happen or occur. [Archaic] Happy! to whom this glorious death arrives. Waller.

cal with what is specified, -- a word or words for the predicate being annexed; as, to be happy; to be here; to be large, or strong; to be an animal; to be a hero; to be a nonentity; three and two are five; annihilation is the cessation of existence; that is the man.

ich, bears, sustains, or carries. "Bearers of burdens." 2 Chron. ii. 18. "The bearer of unhappy news." Dryden.

To pronounce or regard as happy, or supremely blessed, or as conferring happiness. The common conceits and phrases that beatify wealth. Barrow.

natural state or position; inherited disposition or tendency. A foe by birth to Troy's unhappy name. Dryden.

To make happy, blithesome, or joyous; to confer prosperity or happiness upon; to grant divine favor to. The quality of mercy is . . . twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Shak. It hath pleased thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee. 1 Chron. xvii. 27 (R.…

Enjoying happiness or bliss; favored with blessings; happy; highly favored. All generations shall call me blessed. Luke i. 48. Towards England's blessed shore. Shak.

Full of, characterized by, or causing, joy and felicity; happy in the highest degree. "Blissful solitude." Milton. -- Bliss"ful*ly, adv. -- Bliss"ful*ness, n.

To conceal; to hide from view; to embosom. To happy convents bosomed deep in vines. Pope.

ed from its glittering or flashing brightness. [Poetic] Tennyson. Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand. Milton.

sicians, lawers, professors of religion, etc. "A brother of your order." Shak. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother. Shak.