joy (joi)
n.

1. 1. Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness.
   2. The expression or manifestation of such feeling.
2. A source or an object of pleasure or satisfaction: their only child, their pride and joy.

v., joyed, joy·ing, joys.

v.intr.
To take great pleasure; rejoice.

v.tr. Archaic

1. To fill with ecstatic happiness, pleasure, or satisfaction.
2. To enjoy.

[Middle English joie, from Old French, from Latin gaudia, pl. of gaudium, joy, from gaudēre, to rejoice.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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