gratification

Noun

gratification (countable and uncountable, plural gratifications)

1. The act of gratifying or pleasing, either the mind, or the appetite or taste.
   • gratification of the heart gratification of the palate
   • I know nothing of Mr. Courtenaye; but I can perceive enough of this affair to see that he is one of those who, for a moment's selfish gratification, or for the yet meaner love of gratified vanity, will excite the deepest feelings, and trifle with the dearest hopes of all who trust them!1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages 295–296

   Synonyms:

   gladness

2. A gratuity; a reward.
3. (uncountable) A feeling of pleasure; satisfaction.
   • I will tell you all my faults frankly beforehand. I am very vain, for I cultivate my vanity on a principle, and cannot understand why we should neglect such a source of gratification.1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Confidence”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 102
   • To my gratification he told me I could reënter the institution, and that he would trust me to pay the debt when I could.1900, Booker T[aliaferro] Washington, “Helping Others”, in Up from Slavery: An Autobiography, New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Co., published 1901, →OCLC, page 66

   Synonyms:

   delight, enjoyment, gladness, fruition