Congratulate

• POS: Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: con=grat=u=late

CIDE DICTIONARY

Congratulate, v. t. [L. congratulatus, p. p. of congratulari to wish joy abundantly; con- + gratulari to wish joy, from gratus pleasing. See Grateful.].

 To address with expressions of sympathetic pleasure on account of some happy event affecting the person addressed; to wish joy to.  [1913 Webster]
"It is the king's most sweet pleasure and affection to congratulate the princess at her pavilion."  [1913 Webster]
"Felicitations are little better than compliments; congratulations are the expression of a genuine sympathy and joy."  [1913 Webster]

To congratulate one's self, to rejoice; to feel satisfaction; to consider one's self happy or fortunate.

Syn. -- To Congratulate, Felicitate.

Congratulate, v. i. 

 To express of feel sympathetic joy; as, to congratulate with one's country.  Swift.  [1913 Webster]
"The subjects of England may congratulate to themselves."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Congratulate, v.tr. & refl. (often foll. by on, upon)
1 tr. express pleasure at the happiness or good fortune or excellence of (a person) (congratulated them on their success).
2 refl. think oneself fortunate or clever.

Derivative

congratulant adj. & n. congratulator n. congratulatory adj.

Etymology

L congratulari (as com-, gratulari show joy f. gratus pleasing)

ROGET THESAURUS

Congratulate

Congratulation

VB congratulate, gratulate, felicitate, give one joy, wish one joy, compliment, tender one's congratulations, offer one's congratulations, wish many happy returns of the day, wish a merry Christmas and a happy new year, praise, laud (commendation), congratulate oneself.