rapturen.
/ˈraptʃə/, U.S. /ˈræp(t)ʃər/ 1. † b. The expression of such ecstatic feeling in words or music; an instance of this; a rhapsody. Obsolete.† e. A strong fit or attack of (some emotion or mental state). Obsolete.
a. Chiefly in plural. A state, condition, or fit of intense delight or enthusiasm. Now frequently to be in raptures: to be delightedly enthusiastic. to go into raptures: to talk with (esp. affected) enthusiasm and delight.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > rapture or ecstasy > [noun] > instance of
rapt?a1425
trance1434
ravishing1435
ravishment1581
rapture1594
ravish1636
enravishment1661
Ananda1875
blissout1974
1594 G. Chapman Σκìα Νυκτòς sig. Aij It is an exceeding rapture of delight in the deepe search of knowledge..that maketh men manfully indure th'extremes incident to that Herculean labour.
1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars iii. lviii. 67 Those pleasing raptures from her graces rise, Strongly inuading his impressive breast.
1642 J. Milton Apol. Smectymnuus 29 This man..sees truth as in a rapture, and cleaves to it.
1744 J. Wesley & C. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) i. 55 If aught can there enhance their Bliss Or raise their Raptures higher.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 36 He is instantly in raptures at so great an improvement.
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice II. xviii. 220 Their raptures continued with little intermission. View more context for this quotation
1862 M. E. Braddon Lady Audley's Secret I. i. 3 A place that visitors fell into raptures with.
1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt I. i. 38 The mother's early raptures had lasted but a short time.
1906 J. Galsworthy Man of Property 173 The ‘Ladies' Genteel Guide’ went into raptures over: ‘Another of Miss Francie Forsyte's spirited ditties, sparkling and pathetic.’
1994 T. Zeldin Intimate Hist. Humanity (1998) xvi. 278 The heroine comes home to her husband in raptures, because she has just won the top accolade in her profession.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > faculty of conceiving ideals > tendency towards romance > [noun] > ecstatic expression
rapture1594
rhapsody1629
rhapsodizing1872
1594 G. Chapman Σκìα Νυκτòς sig. B Heauenly rapture of his Musicke.
1620 J. Melton Astrologaster 27 The cause of such Musicall and Harmonious Raptures.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 369 With Præamble sweet..they introduce Thir sacred Song, and waken raptures high. View more context for this quotation
1696 E. S. Rowe Poems on Several Occasions 41 The Warbling Birds in Airy Raptures Sing.
1723 R. Blackmore Alfred iii. 95 Melodious Rapture sooth'd the Ear.
1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music vi. 102 When the first Fire of Enthusiasm had vented itself in the Rapture of Hymns and Odes.
1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi III. ix. iv. 214 The people..shouted raptures as he passed.
1845 R. Browning Home Thoughts from Abroad i, in Bells & Pomegranates No. VII: Dramatic Romances & Lyrics 8/2 The first fine careless rapture [sc. of the thrush].
c. As a mass noun: transport of mind, mental exaltation or absorption, ecstasy; (now esp.) ecstatic delight or joy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > rapture or ecstasy > [noun]
ravishment1477
exaltationa1513
ecstasy1526
enragement1596
rapture1598
trance1598
transportation1617
raptery1640
enravishment1656
transport1658
rapturousnessa1687
sublimation1816
raptus1845
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > rapture > [noun]
zeala1382
suspending1483
rapture1598
zealotism1645
ecstasya1652
fanaticism1652
suspension1669
fanatism1680
rapturousnessa1687
religionism1706
rapturation1792
samadhi1795
Schwärmerei1845
seraphism1846
ecstasis1874
1598 G. Chapman in tr. Homer Seauen Bks. Iliades sig. A 2 This..Diuine Rapture; then which nothing can be imagined more full of soule and humaine extraction.
1609 B. Jonson Case is Alterd iii. sig. Hv Something there is in him, That doth enforce this strange affection, With more then common rapture in my breast. View more context for this quotation
1623 J. Webster Dutchesse of Malfy i. i. 208 Her discourse is so full of rapture.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. iii. 25 His contemplative rapture at the same time was no less worthy admiration.
1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 18 Apr. (1965) I. 351 Women allways speak in rapture when they speak of Beauty.
1763 F. Brooke Hist. Lady Julia Mandeville I. 215 I never leave her without regret, nor meet her without rapture.
1818 M. W. Shelley Frankenstein I. iii. 85 The astonishment..soon gave place to delight and rapture.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. iv. 42 He felt in that moment the rapture and glory of martyrdom without its agony.
1913 W. Cather O Pioneers! iv. i. 224 Marie was gazing in rapture at the soft blue color of the stones.
1990 A. N. Wilson C. S. Lewis xiv. 187 Most families in London were getting by with one powdered egg per week, so the Minto egg benefaction was received..with something like rapture.
d. A state of passion; a paroxysm, fit. rare (English regional (Yorkshire) and Scottish in later use). Sc. National Dict. (at cited word) records this sense as still in use in Perthshire, Fife, Lanarkshire, and Dumfriesshire in 1967.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > violent emotion > [noun] > fit of violent emotion
furyc1374
ecstasyc1384
ethroclytes1485
extremity1509
vehemency1612
rapturea1616
rapture1620
fit1654
transport1658
vehemence1741
orgasma1763
rave1765
rampage1860
brainstorm1861
tear1880
maenadism1883
the mind > emotion > anger > furious anger > [noun] > instance or fit of furious anger
wratha1200
ragec1325
furyc1374
paroxysm1578
rapturea1616
orgasma1763
ramp1798
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > [noun] > insanity or madness > fit of madness
widden-dreamOE
resea1300
ragec1330
lunacy1541
raving1549
fit1594
moon1607
ravening1607
lunesa1616
rapturea1616
widdrim1644
raptus1740
brain storm1890
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. i. 204 Your pratling Nurse Into a rapture lets her Baby crie. View more context for this quotation
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 24 Then in rage and sudden rapture drew out his Knife.
1835 D. Webster Orig. Sc. Rhymes 191 Rack'd by woman bodie flyting Wha in raptures often flee.
1895 W. C. Fraser Whaups of Durley xii. 160 The laddies used to pit her into terrible raptures when they misca'ed her.
a1904 C. C. Robinson in Eng. Dial. Dict. V. (1904) 40/2 [Yorkshire] He flew into such a rapture.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > violent emotion > [noun] > fit of violent emotion
furyc1374
ecstasyc1384
ethroclytes1485
extremity1509
vehemency1612
rapturea1616
rapture1620
fit1654
transport1658
vehemence1741
orgasma1763
rave1765
rampage1860
brainstorm1861
tear1880
maenadism1883
1620 tr. G. Boccaccio Decameron I. iv. i. f. 127 Tancrede..in a rapture of fury [It. dolente a morte], departed (vnseene) into his owne lodging.
1652 R. Loveday tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède Cassandra ii. 96 In a rapture of joy, surprisall, and astonishment.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. ii. xii. 254 Picture..Parson Adams dancing about the Room in a Rapture of Joy. View more context for this quotation
1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion vi. 272 A rapture of forgetfulness. View more context for this quotation
1849 J. Wilson in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 46 381 In a rapture of aimless joyancy.
1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb ii. 19 ‘Eh, that's the sea!’ exclaimed the lassie in a rapture of admiration.
f. rapture of the deep n. (also raptures of the deep, rapture of the depths and variants) a state of euphoria and disorientation in a diver, associated with nitrogen narcosis. [Apparently after French ivresse des grandes profondeurs (see quot. 19532).]
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > stupor or coma > [noun] > specific coma
coma vigil1708
hydrocephaloid disease1842
nitrogen narcosis1937
insulin coma1942
rapture of the deep1953
narks1962
1953 J. Y. Cousteau Silent World ii. 14 (heading) Rapture of the deep.
1953 J. Y. Cousteau Silent World ii. 21 We called the seizure l'ivresse des grandes profondeurs (rapture, or ‘intoxication’, of the great depths).
1974 Petroleum Rev. 28 672/1 Nitrogen narcosis, popularly called ‘raptures of the deep’ but perhaps more accurately described as ‘the uglies’, is the malady caused by nitrogen under pressure, interfering with the normal function of the nervous system.
2002 M. T. Sullivan Labyrinth 6 Astronauts floating in the void had exhibited symptoms similar to those of anoxia, what deep-sea divers call ‘the rapture of the deep’: disorientation, a feeling of detached well-being, hallucinations.
a. The action or an act of carrying off a woman by force; abduction. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > kidnapping or abduction > [noun] > specifically a woman
ravishment1436
rapture1595
1595 F. Sabie Fissher-mans Tale sig. Cv Priams famous towne, Nere bought so deare the rapture of faire Hellen.
1600 T. Dekker Old Fortunatus sig. H4v That feare, Which her late violent rapture cast vpon her.
1612 Life & Death Lewis Gaufredy sig. C1 Great bitternes and affliction, as hers was after the rapture of her childe.
1632 G. Sandys tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) v. 171 Lo, I the man, that will vpon thy life Reuenge, said he, the rapture of my wife.
a1680 J. Bargrave Pope Alexander VII (1867) ii. 117 A flat piece of brass, with the rapture of Proserpine by a Centaure.
a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) i. 114 Under which of the Kings happened the rapture of Europa.
1752 J. Jackson Chronol. Antiq. III. 323 The Rapture of Helen by Alexander..was in the second Generation after the Argonautic Expedition.
b. Rape; sexual violation, ravishing. Also figurative. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > loss of chastity > [noun] > defilement of chastity or woman > forcible
forcinga1382
oppressionc1395
rapec1425
ravishment1436
rapt1449
violation?1506
violating1523
stuprationa1525
abuse1585
raping?1585
constupration1611
rapture?1615
gang-banging1949
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) xx. 485 My women servants dragg'd about my house To lust and rapture [Gk. δμῳάς τε γυναῖκας ῥυστάζοντας ἀεικελίως κατὰ δώματα καλά].
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry V cccxxix, in Poems (1878) IV. 183 Though the Representative committ Rapture vpon his heart, in well-drawne Smiles.
a1722 J. Lauder Jrnls. (1900) 27 As a emblem of Chastity we have the story of Lucretias rapture by Tarquinius Superbus sone.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > [noun] > forward movement under force
rapture1602
1602 A. Munday tr. 3rd Pt. Palmerin of Eng. 143 Primaleon, who for all this strange rapture of the beast, failed not in the very least iote of his courage, hauing drawn his dagger, thought there-with to wound the Lyon in the throat.
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) xiv. 428 Our Ship..'gainst a Rocke, or Flat, her Keele did dash With headlong rapture.
1653 J. Shirley Cardinal i. 2 She moves by the rapture of another wheel.
1710 tr. F. G. de Quevedo y Villegas Controv. Resistance & Non-resistance Discuss'd 23 The Majesty of the Sun is above all things that compose the Republick of bright Nature. Astrology, a Science which has pry'd into his Actions,..demonstrates that he submits to the contrary violent Rapture of the Spheres.
1799 B. Thompson tr. A. von Kotzebue La Perouse i. 4 (stage direct.) Rushes with a dizzy rapture down the rock.
1888 J. R. Lowell Agassiz vi. i. 21 With the rapture of great winds to blow About earth's shaken coignes.
4. † a. The act of conveying a person from one place to another, esp. to heaven; the fact of being so conveyed. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > transference > [noun] > conveying or transporting > off or away
asportationc1503
rapture1609
arreption1623
the world > the supernatural > deity > heaven > [noun] > conveyance to
raption1548
rapture1609
the world > the supernatural > deity > hell > [noun] > conveyance to
rapture1609
society > faith > aspects of faith > Bible, Scripture > biblical events > [noun] > rapture of Ezekiel to Tel Aviv
rapture1842
1609 G. Chapman Euthymiae Raptus sig. F 2 A lightening stoop't, and rauisht him to heauen, And with him Peace..: Whose outward Rapture, made me inward bleed.
1630 H. Lord Display Two Forraigne Sects i. xv. 90 (heading) The fourth and last Age of the world, Vistneyes rapture to Heauen.
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 18 Horrid raptures downe to the lowest hell.
1738 S. Smith Hist. Lives, Sufferings, Actions & Deaths Eminent Fathers Christian Church 234 There was his Revelation, called also his Ascension, grounded on his Ecstasy or Rapture into Heaven.
1842 H. E. Manning Serm. viii. 139 In the book of the prophet Ezekiel we read of his rapture to Tel-abib.
1895 A. Nutt Voy. Bran I. 273 (note) The rapture of the hero, by the heroine, to the Underworld.
b. Christian Church. Also with capital initial. In Millenarian theology: the transport of believers to heaven at the Second Coming of Christ. More fully rapture of the Church (also saints).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > heaven > [noun] > conveyance to > at second coming of Christ
catching up1574
rapture of the Church (also saints)1768
1768 T. Broughton Prospect of Futurity iii. viii. 357 We have determined likewise, from the Circumstance of the Rapture of the Saints,..that the Air or Atmosphere will be the Place of the Judgement.
1848 J. N. Darby Exam. Statements Apocalypse 20 The immensely important fact of the rapture of the Church... Nor can this rapture take place till after He has left the throne.
1903 W. Kelly Rapture of Saints 3 I am not aware that there was any definite teaching..that there would be a secret rapture of the saints at a secret coming.
1992 D. Morgan Rising in West iii. xiii. 227 He believed in the imminence of Christ's return and the ‘rapture’ of the church.
2002 Church Times 24 May 20/3 What happens to the people in an aircraft if the pilot is a true believer and the Rapture takes place in mid-flight?
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > sacking, raiding, or looting > [noun]
harryingc900
harrowingc1000
skeckinga1387
pillagea1393
skickinga1400
forayingc1400
hership1487
direption1528
sackc1550
sacking1560
sackage1577
saccaging1585
picory1591
reprisalc1595
boot-haling1598
booty-haling1611
rapture?1611
ravage1611
prize-taking1633
plunder1643
booting1651
hen roost1762
ravagement1766
raiding1785
loot1839
looting1842
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxii. 271 Look how an eagle from her height Stoops to the rapture of a lamb [Gk. ἁρπάξων ἢν ἄρν'].
1639 G. Daniel Ecclus. xliv. 6 Who did Realmes subdue..Were wise in Councell, and in Rapture strong.
1772 J. Kersey New Eng. Dict. sig. D d 2/1 A Rapture, a snatching away.
Compounds
C1. Instrumental.
rapture-bound adj.
ΚΠ
1842 F. W. Faber Styrian Lake 26 I see Mary rapture-bound, And the lily-flowers around.
1900 News (Frederick, Maryland) 30 July The baby eyes..rapture-bound by the tender grace In the mother's bended, love-lit face.
rapture-bursting adj.
ΚΠ
1824 T. Fenby Outl. Four Temperaments iv, in Wild Roses 88 Its rapture-bursting joys.
rapture-lightened adj.
ΚΠ
1799 T. Campbell Pleasures of Hope in Wks. (1837) 6 Turn..thy rapture-lighten'd eye To Wisdom's walks.
rapture-rising adj.
ΚΠ
1842 A. T. de Vere Song of Faith 219 With rapture-rising heart, and a thanksgiving tongue.
rapture-smitten adj.
ΚΠ
1799 T. Campbell Pleasures of Hope in Wks. (1837) 23 Who hath not own'd with rapture-smitten frame The power of grace.
1813 A. Cunningham Songs xii. 24 Descended the fair damsel from her father's turret tow'r, And rapture-smitten met me by the green lonesome bow'r.
2003 Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch (Nexis) 1 July d1 The rapture-smitten woman..opened the sunroof, climbed out crying, ‘Take me, Lord,’ lost her balance and fell in front of the vehicle behind.
rapture-touched adj.
ΚΠ
1820 T. Mitchell tr. Aristophanes Knights in tr. Aristophanes Comedies I. 209 Your bard shall depart With a rapture-touch'd heart.
rapture-trembling adj.
ΚΠ
1782 T. Stratford 1st Bk. Fontenoy 69 The rapture-trembling echo she inspires.
1796 S. T. Coleridge Relig. Musings in Poems Var. Subj. 148 Cherubs and rapture-trembling Seraphim.
C2. Objective.
rapture-breathing adj.
ΚΠ
1752 Trifler 15 June in Gen. Rev. 209 The rapture-breathing Kiss.
1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Tragedies 111 The muses' rapture-breathing shell.
1818 I. Lickbarrow Lament upon Death of Princess Charlotte 13 Never more shall thy rapture-breathing strings Respond to the light touch of gladness.
1869 E. H. Dewart Songs of Life 108 From grandeur's form the shrouding veil is lifted; And, charmed, we drink each rapture-breathing tone.
rapture-giving adj.
ΚΠ
1766 J. Langhorne Fatal Prophecy iv. x. 108 O rapture-giving hours!
a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 327 The saul o' life, the heav'n below, Is rapture-giving woman.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre III. vii. 165 There are other chances in life far more thrilling and rapture-giving.
1940 Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 11 Apr. 8/6 The enjoyment of Beauty for its own rapture-giving and peace-conferring sake.
rapture-moving adj.
ΚΠ
1779 W. A. Willis Sacrifice 21 Rejoice! Rejoice! ye heav'nly Choirs; Attune your rapture-moving Lyres.
1791 W. Kendall Poems 5 Kind to yield, to give her own Rapture-moving, magic zone.
1801 E. Scot Alonzo & Cora 81 Her rapture-moving voice.
rapture-speaking adj.
ΚΠ
?1790 Busy Bee II. 68 Soon should the rapture speaking lyre, Sing Fanny of the Hill.
1799 T. Campbell Pleasures of Hope in Wks. (1837) 4 The rapture-speaking tear.
1815 J. Marsden Backslider iii. 41 Gay lucid hope, fair daughter of the sky, No longer lifts my rapture-speaking eye.
Derivatives
ˈraptural adj.
ΚΠ
1694 N. H. Ladies Dict. 273/1 When his good natured Passion boils up, it overflows in raptural Expressions.
1696 T. Sprat Disc. Clergy 46 Such raptural (if I may so call it) or Enthusiastical Spirit of Preaching.
1769 M. Herberts Adventures of Proteus 79 His Business was to lull her with Ideas of raptural Pleasures.
1902 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) 12 Apr. 8/4 I can recall instances of raptural delight in the heart of young wives.
2001 B. Tucker Posttribulational Rapture of Church ii. 171 (heading) The Raptural Passages [of the Gospels].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
rapturev.
/ˈraptʃə/, U.S. /ˈræp(t)ʃər/ 1. transitive. To enrapture. Frequently in passive. Also with with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > rapture or ecstasy > transport with rapture or ecstasy [verb (transitive)]
ravishc1390
rap1509
extol1526
exalta1533
reave1556
rape1566
rapt?1577
enravish1596
trance1597
to carry out1599
ecstasy1631
translate1631
elevate1634
rapture1636
ecstatize1654
enrapture1740
ecstasiate1823
ecstasize1835
1636 T. Heywood True Disc. Two Infamous Upstart Prophets 3 If he heare a strange Preacher, he at his comming down, as raptur'd with his Doctrine, salutes him with a cringe.
1637 T. Heywood True Descr. Royall Ship 27 Shee hath (no doubt) raptured our Undertaker.
1642 Kings Maiesties Speech Oxf. 6 The burden cast on me, is my ioy, or rather the ioy of the Academy, extaside into a learned amazement, and raptured into speech to see your Maiesty.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 224. ⁋7 The highest compounded Spirit of Lavender..which..raptures the Spirits.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. xxv. 212 How will Lord M. be raptured when he sees her.
1759 E. Kimber tr. C. P. J. de Crébillon Happy Orphans I. 53 Heated with the Fire of his own Expressions, and raptured by the Tenderness with which she received them..he drew her on to an Arbour in the Garden.
1818 J. Keats Endymion ii. 97 To linger on her lily shoulders, warm Between her kissing breasts, and every charm Touch raptur'd!
1892 Ingersoll in Pall Mall Gaz. 16 Apr. 7/1 While yet in love with life and raptured with the world, he passed to silence.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 10 Apr. 1 b/1 Taylor was raptured. He paced off the first flight. And the second. And the third. And was awed.
2012 J. Adams Bks. they gave Me 138 She raptured me in summer by giving me Fitzgerald's flawed and gorgeous masterpiece.
2. transitive. Christian Church. In Millenarian theology: to cause (believers) to ascend into heaven as part of the rapture of the Church (cf. rapture n. 4b). Usually in passive.In quot. 1865 perhaps: to cause to ascend into heaven after death.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > heaven > [verb (transitive)] > convey to or place in > at second coming of Christ
rapture1865
1865 J. H. Carroll in G. Hallock Hist. South Congregational Church 247 To rise from the carnal with so little memory of earth..—to be raptured as a blessed babe through the gates of Paradise.
1899 J. H. Garratt Coming Judgment 82 We shall in glory, by and by..Be raptured up; then as thy own Blood-purchased Bride, wilt share thy throne.
1936 Chron.-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) 18 July 3/2 Many Christians are asking whether or not all of the saints will be raptured at the coming of Christ.
1992 M. E. Marty & R. S. Appleby Glory & Power ii. 50 Jesus would ‘rapture’, or gather up the faithful.
2005 Vanity Fair (N.Y.) Dec. 204 Evangelical Christians are ‘raptured’ up to heaven, leaving secular humanists to perish in an epic bloodbath.
3. intransitive. To express oneself in raptures; to delight in, to be excited or enthusiastic over something.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > rapture or ecstasy > be rapturous or ecstatic [verb (intransitive)] > go into ecstasies
to melt awaya1400
ecstasy1636
rapturize1832
ecstasiate1838
ecstasize1854
rapture1908
to bliss out1973
1908 A. Lipdegraff in Smart Set June 133 I rapture in some lonely night-bird's cries.
1965 E. O'Brien August is Wicked Month i. 12 She went out and raptured over the tent and said what a genius he was.
1994 B. Wilson Cordelia Clark 148 I raptured over the fact that he had said hello to me that afternoon.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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