\Hap"pi*ness\, n. [From {Happy}.]
1. Good luck; good fortune; prosperity.
         All happiness bechance to thee in Milan! --Shak.
2. An agreeable feeling or condition of the soul arising from
   good fortune or propitious happening of any kind; the
   possession of those circumstances or that state of being
   which is attended enjoyment; the state of being happy;
   contentment; joyful satisfaction; felicity; blessedness.
3. Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace; -- used especially
   of language.
         Some beauties yet no precepts can declare, For
         there's a happiness, as well as care. --Pope.
Syn: {Happiness}, {Felicity}, {Blessedness}, {Bliss}.
Usage: Happiness is generic, and is applied to almost every
       kind of enjoyment except that of the animal appetites;
       felicity is a more formal word, and is used more
       sparingly in the same general sense, but with elevated
       associations; blessedness is applied to the most
       refined enjoyment arising from the purest social,
       benevolent, and religious affections; bliss denotes
       still more exalted delight, and is applied more
       appropriately to the joy anticipated in heaven.
             O happiness! our being's end and aim! --Pope.
             Others in virtue place felicity, But virtue
             joined with riches and long life; In corporal
             pleasures he, and careless ease.  --Milton.
             His overthrow heaped happiness upon him; For
             then, and not till then, he felt himself, And
             found the blessedness of being little. --Shak.