exult

Where does the word "exult" come from? It comes from Latin salire, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Exult’s story begins in Latin: salire meant “to jump, to leap.” To jump, to leap, combined with ex- (out). Within Latin, it grew into exsultare by ancient. To leap up for joy, to rejoice, from ex- and salire. It reached English by 1500s as exult. Settled as the English word for showing great happiness or triumph. Today, exult means to show or feel great happiness or triumphant joy.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient salire "to jump, to leap", to jump, to leap, combined with ex- (out).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient exsultare "to leap up for joy, to rejoice", to leap up for joy, to rejoice, from ex- and salire.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s exult "to show great happiness or triumph", settled as the English word for showing great happiness or triumph.