Rejoice (r-jois), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rejoced (-joist); p. pr. & vb. n. Rejoicing (-joisng).]
Etymology: [OE.rejoissen, OF. resjouir, resjoir, F. réjouir; pref. re- re- + OF, esjouir, esjoir, F. , to rejoice; pref. es- (L. ex-) + OF. jouir, joir, F. jouir, from L. gaudere to rejoice. See Joy.]
To feel joy; to experience gladness in a high degree; to have pleasurable satisfaction; to be delighted. "O, rejoice beyond a common joy." Shak. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy. Ps. xxxi. 7.
Syn. To delight; joy; exult; triumph.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Rejoice, v. t.
1. To enjoy. [Obs.] Bp. Peacock.
2. To give joi to; to make joyful; to gladden. I me rejoysed of my liberty. Chaucer. While she, great saint, rejoices heaven. Prior. Were he [Cain] alive, it would rejoice his soul to see what mischief it had made. Arbuthnot.
Syn. -- To please; cheer; exhilarate; delight.
Rejoice, n.
The act of rejoicing. Sir T. Browne.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists rejoice only as an antonym, under mourn.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.