— pleasureful , adj. — pleasureless , adj. — pleasurelessly , adv.
/plezh"euhr/ , n. , v. , pleasured, pleasuring .
n.
1. the state or feeling of being pleased.
2. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight.
3. worldly or frivolous enjoyment: the pursuit of pleasure.
4. recreation or amusement; diversion; enjoyment: Are you traveling on business or for pleasure?
5. sensual gratification.
6. a cause or source of enjoyment or delight: It was a pleasure to see you.
7. pleasurable quality: the pleasure of his company.
8. one's will, desire, or choice: to make known one's pleasure.
v.t.
9. to give pleasure to; gratify; please.
v.i.
10. to take pleasure; delight: I pleasure in your company.
11. to seek pleasure, as by taking a holiday.
[ 1325-75; late ME (see PLEASE, -URE); r. ME plaisir placere to please ]
Syn. 1. happiness, gladness, delectation. PLEASURE, ENJOYMENT, DELIGHT, JOY refer to the feeling of being pleased and happy. PLEASURE is the general term: to take pleasure in beautiful scenery. ENJOYMENT is a quiet sense of well-being and pleasurable satisfaction: enjoyment at sitting in the shade on a warm day. DELIGHT is a high degree of pleasure, usually leading to active expression of it: delight at receiving a hoped-for letter. JOY is a feeling of delight so deep and so lasting that one radiates happiness and expresses it spontaneously: joy at unexpected good news. 5. voluptuousness. 8. preference, wish, inclination, predilection.