[syn: joy, delight, pleasure]
3. a formal expression;
- Example: "he serves at the pleasure of the President"
4. an activity that affords enjoyment;
- Example: "he puts duty before pleasure"
5. sexual gratification;
- Example: "he took his pleasure of her"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pleasure \Pleas"ure\, n. [F. plaisir, originally an infinitive.
See Please.]
1. The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable
sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish, or
happiness produced by the expectation or the enjoyment of
something good, delightful, or satisfying; -- opposed to
pain, sorrow, etc.
[1913 Webster]
At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
--Ps. xvi. 11.
[1913 Webster]
2. Amusement; sport; diversion; self-indulgence; frivolous or
dissipating enjoyment; hence, sensual gratification; --
opposed to labor, service, duty, self-denial, etc. "Not
sunk in carnal pleasure." --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man. --Prov.
xxi. 17.
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Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. --2
Tim. iii. 4.
[1913 Webster]
3. What the will dictates or prefers as gratifying or
satisfying; hence, will; choice; wish; purpose. "He will
do his pleasure on Babylon." --Isa. xlviii. 14.
[1913 Webster]
Use your pleasure; if your love do not presuade you
to come, let not my letter. --Shak.
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4. That which pleases; a favor; a gratification. --Shak.
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Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure --Acts
xxv. 9.
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At pleasure, by arbitrary will or choice. --Dryden.
To take pleasure in, to have enjoyment in. --Ps. cxlvii.
11.
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Note: Pleasure is used adjectively, or in the formation of
self-explaining compounds; as, pleasure boat, pleasure
ground; pleasure house, etc.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Enjoyment; gratification; satisfaction; comfort; solace;
joy; gladness; delight; will; choice; preference;
purpose; command; favor; kindness.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pleasure \Pleas"ure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleasured; p. pr. &
vb. n. Pleasuring.]
To give or afford pleasure to; to please; to gratify. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
[Rolled] his hoop to pleasure Edith. --Tennyson.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pleasure \Pleas"ure\, v. i.
To take pleasure; to seek pursue pleasure; as, to go
pleasuring.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
pleasure
n 1: a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that
people desire to experience; "he was tingling with
pleasure" [syn: pleasure, pleasance] [ant: pain,
painfulness]
2: something or someone that provides a source of happiness; "a
joy to behold"; "the pleasure of his company"; "the new car
is a delight" [syn: joy, delight, pleasure]
3: a formal expression; "he serves at the pleasure of the
President"
4: an activity that affords enjoyment; "he puts duty before
pleasure"
5: sexual gratification; "he took his pleasure of her"
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
130 Moby Thesaurus words for "pleasure":
affability, agreeability, agreeableness, alternate choice,
alternative, amenity, amiability, amicability, amusement, animus,
appetence, appetency, appetite, ardor, behest, bidding, bliss,
blissfulness, choice, comfort, command, commandment, compatibility,
complaisance, conation, conatus, concupiscence, congeniality,
contentment, cordiality, curiosity, decision, delectate,
delectation, delight, desideration, desire, determination, dictate,
dictation, direct order, discretion, disposition, diversion,
divertisement, divertissement, drive, eagerness, enjoyableness,
enjoyment, entertainment, fancy, fantasy, felicitousness, felicity,
free choice, free will, fruition, geniality, gladden, goodliness,
goodness, graciousness, gratification, gratify, happify, happiness,
harmoniousness, hest, hope, horme, imperative, inclination,
intellectual curiosity, intention, joy, joyance, kick, libido,
liking, lust, lust for learning, mellifluousness, mellowness, mind,
mirth, need, niceness, objective, option, optionality, order,
passe-temps, passion, pastime, pleasance, pleasingness,
pleasurability, pleasurableness, pleasure principle,
pleasurefulness, possible choice, preference, rapport, recreation,
regalement, relaxation, relish, resolution, satisfaction, say-so,
sexual desire, solace, special order, sweetness,
thirst for knowledge, thrill, urge, velleity, volition, want,
wanting, welcomeness, will, will and pleasure, will power, wish,
wish fulfillment, word, word of command
The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):
PLEASURE, n. The least hateful form of dejection.