ecstasy

/ˈek-stə-sē/

Middle English exstasie, extasy "elation," borrowed from Middle French extasie, "stupor, transported state," borrowed from Late Latin ecstasis, extasis "trance, swoon, profound sleep," borrowed from Greek ékstasis "displacement, mental distraction, astonishment, trance," from eksta-, stem of existánai "to displace, drive out of one's senses, confound," exístasthai "to be astonished, lose consciousness" (from ex- + histánai "to cause to stand, place," hístasthai "to be standing") + -sis -sis

noun

  1. a state of overwhelming emotion; especially : rapturous, delight

  2. a synthetic amphetamine analog C11H15NO2 used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties —called also MDMA

  3. trance; especially : a mystic or prophetic trance

ecstasy rapture transport mean intense exaltation of mind and feelings. ecstasy and rapture both suggest a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering emotion. ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (such as joy, fear, rage, adoration). rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude.