raptus

9.9

A strong feeling of joy or wonder that takes over someone

noun

Specialized

: rapto

The couple experienced a raptus of joy when they received the good news.

Examples

They were black, not large but bright, and when under the influence of inspiration—the raptus of Madame yon Breuning—they dilated in a peculiar way.

Academic text (1995)
The artist was in a state of raptus as she painted her masterpiece.
His storytelling captivated the audience, leaving them in a raptus of emotion.

Synonyms

ecstasy

vsraptus

57 6.1

A feeling of very great joy and excitement

is deeper absorption and carried-away quality beyond just joy

rapture

vsraptus

37 6.9

A very strong feeling of great joy

is more about being carried away and mentally absorbed, not only joy

exaltation

vsraptus

2 7.6

A feeling of great happiness and strong emotion

is specifically about being carried away and absorbed by emotion

transport

vsraptus

Archaic

1 8.2

A very strong feeling of joy or excitement

is the intense inward absorption by overwhelming feeling rather than simple joy

ecstasis

vsraptus

Archaic

9.9

Being carried away by a very strong feeling of joy or wonder

is emotional absorption without implying trance or ritual state

Antonyms

despair

210 3.5

A complete loss of hope

indifference

71 4.6

Lack of interest or concern about something

Compounds

raptus hemorrhagicus

Archaic

9.9

A sudden collapse caused by heavy loss of blood

How Absorbed

ecstasy

57 6.1

raptus

Specialized

9.9

absorption

5 4.9

enthusiasm

288 2.2

interest

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

raptus singular

raptus plural

Etymology

Raptus comes from the old Latin verb rapere, which means 'to seize' or 'snatch'. Think of an emotion suddenly 'seizing' you—that same idea is in English rapture (great joy that carries you away) and raptor (a bird that seizes its prey), so raptus means being carried away by a strong feeling.