[a. F. congratulation, or ad. L. congrātulātiōn-em, n. of action f. congrātulā-rī: see above.]
1. The action of congratulating; the expressing to anybody in a complimentary way gratification at his or her success, fortune, or happiness; felicitation.
1591. Harington, Orl. Fur., XXX. lxviii. Yet Gradasso’s faint congratulation Makes men surmise he thinks not as he saith.
1651. Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., xv. § 10. 244. But we then praise, and celebrate in words … by Congratulation, which supposeth happinesse.
1794. Godwin, Cal. Williams, 19. His superiority … excited congratulation instead of envy.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., I. 5 Not of itself regarded … as any matter for congratulation.
1887. T. Fowler, Princ. Morals, II. ii. 94. To the act of ‘rejoicing with others’ there is no single term appropriated … The outward expression of the feeling is, however, known as congratulation.
2. (with pl.) An expression of such pleasure.
1632. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 195. Congratulations she received not as a woman in child-bed, but as a Captaine vanquissant of a battel.
1749. Johnson, Irene, IV. vi. That fawning villain’s forced congratulations.
1781. Fletcher, Lett., Wks. 1795, VII. 238. I thank you for your kind congratulations on my marriage.
† 3. Grateful and glad acknowledgement on one’s own behalf, rejoicing. Obs.
1597. J. T., Serm. Paules C., 73. And then in congratulation of all three, wee yeeld thee thankesgiving.
1622. Donne, Serm., Lam. iv. 20, Wks. 1839, V. 207. The text, which is as yet but of lamentation, will grow an hour hence to be a congratulation.
1623. Sir R. Naunton, in Fortescue Papers, 193. Yet my penne … can not hold from an intire congratulation of this happie and holy day.
Hence Congratulational a.
1827. Bentham, Wks., X. 61. Half lamentational, half congratulational, rhythmical commonplaces.
