Definition of "gratulate" in English

verb

1. (archaic) To express joy at (an event or situation).

2. (archaic) To greet, welcome, salute.

   • 1822, William Wordsworth, “Recovery” (Ecclesiastical Sketches/Sonnets, VII) in The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green, 1827, Volume 3, p. 33, […] when a storm hath ceased, the birds regain / Their cheerfulness, and busily retrim / Their nests, or chant a gratulating hymn / To the blue ether and bespangled plain;
   • 1881, James Thomson, “Two Sonnets,” II, in Vane’s Story, Weddah and Om-el-Bonain, and Other Poems, London: Reeves & Turner, p. 166, Striving to sing glad songs, I but attain / Wild discords sadder than Grief’s saddest tune / As if an owl with his harsh screech should strain / To over-gratulate a thrush of June.

adjective

1. (obsolete) Worthy of gratulation.