"congratulating" definition, meaning, and origin

Adjective

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:
- 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,...
- 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,...
Gratifying; pleasing.
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...

By surface analysis, congratulate + -ing.

The act by which someone is congratulated; congratulation.
- 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...
- 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...
- The basic illocutionary acts are assertions (describing, stating, concluding), directives (orders, requests, suggestions, questions), commissives (threats, promises), expressives (apologies, thankings, congratulatings),...