I.v. dep. n. [lit. pass. of laeto], to rejoice, feel joy, be joyful or glad at any thing (syn. gaudeo); constr. with abl., with in, de, ex, or super and abl., with neutr. acc., with acc. and inf., poet. with gen.
(α).
With abl.: “ut quisquam amator nuptiis laetetur,” Ter. Hec. 5, 3, 37: “et laetari bonis rebus et dolere contrariis,” Cic. Lael. 13, 47: “sua re gesta,” id. Rep. 1, 42, 65: “laetor tum praesenti, tum sperata tua dignitate,” id. Fam. 2, 9, 1: “laetabitur cor meum quasi a vino,” Vulg. Zach. 10, 7: “juvenis specie,” Juv. 10, 310.—
(β).
With in and abl.: “laetaris tu in omnium gemitu,” Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 46, § 121: “in hoc est laetatus, quod,” because that, id. Phil. 11, 4, 9: “ad laetandum in laetitia gentis tuae,” Vulg. Psa. 105, 5: “in Domino,” id. ib. 96, 12; 84, 7 et saep.—
(γ).
With de and abl.: “de communi salute,” Cic. Marc. 11, 33: “de labore suo,” Vulg. Sirach, 5, 18.—
(δ).
With ex and abl.: “Vaccenses ex perfidia laetati,” Sall. J. 69, 3. —(ε) With super (late Lat.): “super hederā,” Vulg. Jonah, 4, 6; id. Isa. 39, 2.—(ζ) With neutr. acc.: “illud mihi laetandum video, quod,” because that, Cic. de Imp. Pomp. 1; but rarely with acc. of direct object: “laetandum magis quam dolendum casum tuum,” Sall. J. 14, 22: “hos erat Aeacides voltu laetatus honores,” Verg. Cul. 322.—(η) With acc. and inf. (freq. in Cic.): “istuc tibi ex sententia tua obtigisse laetor,” Ter. Heaut. 4, 3, 5; id. Hec. 5, 3, 35: “quae perfecta esse gaudeo, judices, vehementerque laetor,” Cic. Rosc. Am. 47, 136: “quem esse natum ... haec civitas laetabitur,” id. Lael. 4, 14: “utrumque laetor, et sine dolore corporis te fuisse et animo valuisse,” id. Fam. 7, 1, 1; cf.: “nec vero Alciden me sum laetatus euntem accepisse,” Verg. A. 6, 392.—(θ) With gen., in connection with memini: “nec veterum memini laetorve malorum,” Verg. A. 11, 280.—
II. Transf., of inanim. subjects, to delight, rejoice, be joyful: “omne vitis genus naturaliter laetatur tepore potius, quam frigore,” is fonder of warmth than of cold, Col. 3, 9 fin.: “frumenta omnia maxime laetantur patenti campo,” delight in, Pall. 1, 6, 15: “laetatur mons Sion,” Vulg. Psa. 47. 12.— Hence, laetans , antis, P. a., rejoicing, joyful, glad: “eos nunc laetantis faciam adventu meo,” Plaut. Stich. 3, 1, 6: “nubit Oppianico continuo Sassia laetanti jam animo,” Cic. Clu. 9 fin.—Poet., of inanim. things: “loca,” delightful, cheerful, agreeable, Lucr. 2, 344.—* Adv.: laetanter , with joy, joyfully, Lampr. Commod. 5.