congratulating

comparative more congratulating · superlative most congratulating

1. Congratulatory; that is giving congratulations.

   Mrs. Buckle was delivered of twins. "A pair of Buckles!" "Boys or girls?" inquired a congratulating friend the answer may be supposed.

   1871, Jacob Larwood, The Book of Clerical Anecdotes, page 102

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   His face grew sadder as the ceremony proceeded, and at last when the bride left the church, surrounded by a congratulating crowd, his eyes assumed the fixed look of a doomed man.

   1876 February, Lady Pollock, “Courtship in France”, in Temple Bar: A London Magazine for Town and Country Readers, page 184

   His great cause had been won; his client had been honorably acquitted; and there gathered around Mr. Storrs at the Lindell Hotel a congratulating circle, including many eminent members of the St. Louis bar.

   1888, Emery Alexander Storrs, Isaac E. Adams, Political Oratory of Emery A. Storrs: From Lincoln to Garfield, page 11

2. Gratifying; pleasing.

   As far as I am aware of, no epidemic diseases exist, which is congratulating to this place.

   1889, Minnesota. State Board of Health, Biennial Report on Vital Statistics of the State of Minnesota, page 88

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   Bells, as they are kind of musical instruments, spread (upon occasion) a congratulating joy in those towns, cities, and places, whre they are rung; so the gospel sound spreads a congratulating joy in the assemblies of Zion, the cities of our GOD;

   1810, John Allen, The Spiritual Magazine, page 291

   But although this extremely hot weather has been unfavourable in these few, yet, I believe, it may be more congratulating to the majority to know that, upon the whole, it has been serviceable to pulmonary and some other dreadful diseases; to some obstinate forms of cutaneous eruptions, comprehended under the term scorbutic by some of the older ignoramuses, from disordered stomachs, by using too much animal food, along with late hours and tipling, by taking away their appetites; to gouts, by administering to them solar heat, instead of warmth derived from the brandy bottle, or a pill or potion; to children with mesenteric disease and scrofula; to palsies; to dropsies, and almost all other chronic diseases from diseased viscera; and in short, has been an absolute fiat to many which, in bad weather, are nearly as extensive, but more destructive than fevers, so that we have little reason to complain, seeing that it has not only resuced and benefitted those unfortunates sufferning under diseases of the lungs, and chronic ailments from the inclemencies of winter, but it has also been favourable to, and much improved the growth of, all kinds of vegetation, and made the whole face of nature look cheerful and gay.

   1825, “Medical Report”, in The Newcastle Magazine, volume 4, page 335, column 1

   The experimental evidence which is daily being received, showing the efficacy and economy of this now justly celebrated Cattle Food Condiment, is very congratulating and encouraging, especially as it is voluntarily given along with orders for fresh supplies; for practical testimony thus given must always be received as satisfactory evidence in favour of the article — a justification, as it were, for continuing its use.

   1859, “Thorley's Food For Cattle”, in Mechanic's Magazine, page 384

   While the above was the tone of all I talked with, every one of them was prepared to purchase supers of from 3 to 6 lbs. in weight, because many people by these for presents that would not otherwise purchase honeycomb—very congratulating to the ears of the introducer of small supers, and ought to be welcomed by all those who find a difficulty in bees entering sections and finding a market for the same.

   1885 August 13, “The Bee-Keeper”, in Journal of Horticulture and Practical Gardening, volume 11, page 147

   It is congratulating to know that our profession is rapidly developing this desired condition, and let us not tire in well doing until we take our places as one of the first sciences of the land established in every branch of commerce or concentrated society.

   1900, T.B. Newby, “The Veterinarian a Factor in Politics”, in Journal of Comparative Medicine and Surgery, volume 21, page 147

plural congratulatings

1. The act by which someone is congratulated; congratulation.

   The basic illocutionary acts are assertions (describing, stating, concluding), directives (orders, requests, suggestions, questions), commissives (threats, promises), expressives (apologies, thankings, congratulatings), and declarations (baptisms, marriage pronouncements).

   2011, Stephen Barker, “Speech-Acts”, in Patrick Colm Hogan, editor, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Language Sciences, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 786, column 2

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   As, when speaking familiarly we say of a new-married couple, they are gone to pass the honey-moon together; seems, te pas, de hou-inne hije muê hun: q. e. it is quite right, the visiting and receiving troubles tires them; it is as it ought to be, for the congratulatings and ceremonial visits molests and fatigues them; […]

   1840, John Bellenden Ker, “Phrases and Sayings Which by Their Literal Form Do Not Bear Out the Meaning They Are Used in, and Terms Not Yet Satisfactorily Accounted For”, in A Supplement to the Two Volumes of the Second Edition of the Essay on the Archæology of Our Popular Phrases, Terms, and Nursery Rhymes, London: James Ridgway, […], page 14

   It will be a mighty host, that company of the Redeemed! To say nothing of the babes who have died in infancy, untasted by them the cup of sin which the world administers to its votaries—not counting those cherubs numerous as the stars of the milky way, what crowds shall be there of those who had repented them of their sins before their day of grace was past and gone; and Oh, what greetings and congratulatings of long separated friends!

   1882, William H. Cooper, “The Company, Worship, and Bliss of Heaven”, in Problems of the Future State. A Series of Sermons, Delivered in Emmanuel Reformed Episcopal Church, Ottawa, Ontario. […], page 7, column 1

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of congratulate