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congratulations

 - 3 dictionary results

con⋅grat⋅u⋅la⋅tion

[kuhn-grach-uh-ley-shuhn or, often, -graj-, kuhng-]
–noun
1. the act of congratulating.
2. congratulations, an expression of joy in the success or good fortune of another.
–interjection
3. congratulations, (used to express joy in the success or good fortune of another): Congratulations! You have just won the lottery!

Origin:
1400–50; late ME < LL congrātulātiōn- (s. of congrātulātiō), equiv. to congrātulāt(us) (see congratulate ) + -iōn- -ion


con⋅grat⋅u⋅la⋅tion⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To congratulations
con·grat·u·la·tion   (kən-grāch'ə-lā'shən, -grāj'-, kəng-)   
n.  
  1. The act of expressing joy or acknowledgment, as for the achievement or good fortune of another.

  2. An expression of such joy or acknowledgment. Often used in the plural: sent him my congratulations on winning the award.

interj.   congratulations
Used to express such joy or acknowledgment: I heard you got a promotion. Congratulations!
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

congratulation 
1438, from L. congratulationem, from congratulari "wish joy," from com- "together" + gratulari "give thanks, show joy," from gratus "agreeable" (see grace).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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