I. ˈplezhə(r), -lāzh- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English plesure, alteration (influenced by -ure ) of plesir, pleser, from Middle French plaisir, from plaisir to please — more at please
1. : a particular desire or purpose : inclination , will
wait upon his pleasure — Shakespeare
it was his pleasure … to take away the charters — Leslie Thomas
2. : a state or condition of gratification of the senses or mind : an agreeable sensation or emotion : the excitement, relish, or happiness produced by expectation or enjoyment of something good, delightful, or satisfying
the pleasures which one can derive from the knowledge of literature — H.J.Fuller
the pleasure and pain of coming of age — Lee Rogow
3.
a. : sensual gratification
b. : frivolous enjoyment or amusement : sensuous diversion
he that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man — Prov. 21:17 (Authorized Version)
4. : a cause, source, or object of delight or joy
vacations are supposed to be a pleasure — Orville Prescott
hill and valley making the town a pleasure to see — Jane Shellhase
5. : a quality which gives a feeling of pleasurability
the pleasure of tinkling ice in a tall glass
6.
a. : a feeling of pleasantness accompanying release of tensions especially from anticipatory states or instinctual needs
b. : pleasantness 2
Synonyms:
pleasure , delight , joy , delectation , enjoyment , and fruition all agree in signifying the agreeable emotion accompanying the possession, acquisition, or expectation of what is good or greatly desired. pleasure stresses the feeling of satisfaction or gratification, often suggesting an excitement or exaltation of the senses or mind
a few beautiful things on which the eyes may dwell with pleasure day after day — Herbert Spencer
the capacity for civilized enjoyment, for leisure and laughter, for pleasure in sunshine and philosophical discourse — Bertrand Russell
contempt and admiration, queer sensations of disgust and pleasure, all mingled — John Galsworthy
delight adds the idea of liveliness or obviousness in the satisfaction induced, often more unstable or less enduring than pleasure
a kind of delight in being alive to greet the dawn — Louis Bromfield
with what delight I find myself on this boat going home again — Katherine A. Porter
my frenzy of delight at the possibilities of escape — Rudyard Kipling
joy can interchange with pleasure or delight but often implies a more deep-rooted rapturous emotion or intense happiness
the thrill of joy that surged over him — O.E.Rölvaag
the joy, severed from its spiritual sustenance, loses its high ecstasy — P.E.More
delectation suggests the reaction to pleasurable experience more or less consciously sought, received, or provided, connoting rather amusement or diversion than anything like deep-seated joy
hardly ever wrote a letter that had not a smile or laugh in it and for the delectation of the reader I will give a few examples of her manner — W.S.Maugham
guards scatter perfume for the prisoners' delectation and musicians play concerts at unusual hours — C.W.Bird
revived ancient, joyful customs for the delectation of islanders and visitors — Ernest Gruening
enjoyment like delectation stresses the reaction to pleasurable experience but suggests a wider range of deeper pleasure from a mere transient though complete gratification to a deep-seated or long-lasting gratified happiness
occasioned more amusement than enjoyment or a serious regard — H.V.Gregory
the capacity for civilized enjoyment, for leisure and laughter, for pleasure in sunshine and philosophical discourse — Bertrand Russell
the enjoyment of a full fruitful life
fruition in an older sense now of rare occurrence signified pleasure in possession or enjoyment in attainment
in love we must deserve nothing, or the fine bloom of fruition is gone — George Meredith
no man has ever had the fruition of these marvels — John Buchan
II. verb
( pleasured ; pleasured ; pleasuring -zh(ə)riŋ ; pleasures )
intransitive verb
1. : to take pleasure : delight — often used with in
get my fill of these here tropical fruits because I … do pleasure in the flavor — C.W.Wilkinson
2. : to seek pleasure : take a holiday or outing
the streets are filled with plantation people … buying and selling and pleasuring around the hot catfish stands — C.B.Davis
transitive verb
1. : to give or afford pleasure to : gratify , please
I'll learn, just to pleasure you — Elizabeth M. Roberts
pleasures the actors somewhat more than it advances their education — Newsweek
2. : to give sexual pleasure to