macteint.
/ˈmakteɪ/, U.S. /ˈmækteɪ/ Chiefly literary.
Expressing approval, encouragement, or good will: ‘all praise to you!’, ‘well done!’, ‘bravo!’; ‘good luck!’.Esp. in various Latin exclamations and expressions: macte animo n. [ < classical Latin macte macte int. + animō, ablative singular of animus spirit (see animus n.)] ‘be honoured for your spirit, bravo!’. macte virtute n. (also macte nova virtute) [ < classical Latin macte macte int. (+ novā, ablative singular feminine of novus new adj.) + virtūte, ablative singular of virtūs valour, worth (see virtue n.)] ‘be honoured for your courage, well done!’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > expressions of commendation [interjection]
well-donea1500
macte1573
hear- him1727
hear1768
that's your sort1792
top marks1829
that's the spirit1853
good for you (also him, her, etc.)1855
good man1887
good egg1903
attaboy1909
to go up (also down) one1909
right on1911
hotcha1931
thataboy1936
hubba-hubba1944
chapeau1976
1573–80 G. Harvey Let.-bk. 181 I can say no more; but Macte virtute.
?a1659 T. Pestell Poems (1940) 57 Ô Mactè then, Crie Mactè to his Grace, & honour too Which (though he thinks not so) I sweare, I doe.
1753 S. Johnson Let. 17 Apr. (1992) i. 70 I hope your new book is printing. Macte novâ virtute.
1778 W. Mason Let. 1 July in P. Cunningham Lett. H. Walpole (1886) VII. 86 A parson writing an amorous Opera is a phenomenon more horrid I trust in that eye [sc. of episcopacy] than the growth of popery. But macte virtute; the deed is done, and I am ready to abide by the consequences.
1849 Southern Literary Messenger 15 186/2 I rejoice that it [sc. the Messenger] is now conducted under auspices so favorable to its permanent welfare, and I say ‘macte virtute’, with a cordial goodwill and a desire to assist you according to my ability.
1868 Notes & Queries 18 July 54/2 To Mr. Arber let me take this opportunity of saying Macte!
1880 Appletons' Jrnl. Jan. 8 Your début is promising. Macte amino [sic], generose puer.
1896 J. Curtin tr. H. Sienkiewicz Quo Vadis xxxvi. 288 Muttering was turned into wonderment, and cries of ‘Macte!’ were heard round about.
1945 Speculum 43 394 Younger scholars continue to be in his debt for generous and wise evaluation of their work. Macte virtute!
1955 Renaissance News 8 211 Everything possible has been given to assist the reader to comprehend the orations... Macte virtute.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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int.1573