enjoyment English · revision 39533

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1553, J. Brende's translation of Quintus Curtius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ɪnˈd͡ʒɔɪ.mənt/, /ənˈd͡ʒɔɪ.mənt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|enjoy|-ment]], from the verb with the noun suffix.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(Dictionary.com 2016) The verb is [[inh|enm|enjoyen|t=to rejoice, be glad]], [[bor|fro|enjoir|t=to give joy, take delight in]], from the prefix [[m|fro|en-]] and [[m|fro|joir|t=to enjoy]], which continues [[la|gaudeō|t=to rejoice]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The OED allows a second source for the verb, Old French [[m|fro|enjoier|t=to give joy to]], formed on [[m|fro|joie|t=joy]].^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action or state of taking pleasure or satisfaction in something, and also of possessing and benefiting from it: 1553, in John Brende's translation of the history of Alexander by Quintus Curtius Rufus.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline gives the 1550s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun took over both senses of the verb: the older one of having and using something good, which ''enjoy'' had from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline) and the pleasure taken in it.^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) The concrete sense, a thing that gives pleasure, follows in 1665, in Robert Boyle's ''Occasional Reflections'';^(OED 2026)^(HTOED) Etymonline dates it to 1732.^(Etymonline) Johnson (1755) defined the word as "pleasure; happiness; fruition", quoting Tillotson on a man whose hopes are bigger than his ''enjoyments''.^(Johnson 1755) In law the possession or exercise of a right is still called its ''enjoyment''.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 14th century – the verb ''enjoy'', to rejoice.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1553 – the noun, the action or state of enjoying something.^(OED 2026)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1665 – a thing that gives pleasure;^(OED 2026) 1732 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1755 – Johnson's "pleasure; happiness; fruition".^(Johnson 1755)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state or feeling of taking [[pleasure]] in something: ''The children watched the puppet show with obvious enjoyment.''^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # Something that gives pleasure or [[satisfaction]].^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The having and use of something that brings a benefit, such as good health or a [[legal]] [[right]]: ''the enjoyment of full civil liberties''.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[enjoy]]

+ * [[joy]]

+ * [[rejoice]]

+ * [[jovial]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}