Gladness
Pronunciation : Glad"ness
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [AS. gl?dnes.]
Definition : Defn: State or quality of being glad; pleasure; joyful satisfaction; cheerfulness. They . . . did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Acts ii. 46.
Note: Gladness is rarely or never equivalent to mirth, merriment, gayety, and triumph, and it usually expresses less than delight. It sometimes expresses great joy. The Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. Esther viii. 17.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913