Definition of gratify

The word "gratify" originated in Middle English, around the 14th century. It comes from the Old French "gra" meaning "certainty, surety" and "taaf" meaning "touch, handle" or "feel" combined with the suffix "-ier" meaning "cause to". In Old French, this verb was "graist" which translates to "to give assurance of, to assure". This meaning evolved into "to satisfy or please fully" in Middle English, which later led to the English word "gratify". The use of "gratify" as a verb in English originally meant to make certain or assured, but the meaning progressed over time. By the mid-15th century, it came to be associated with pleasing or satisfying someone, either through meeting their expectations or providing them with something favorable. Its definition evolved further in the 16th century, to signify the act of making somebody happy or content, especially through fulfilling a desire or request. In the centuries that followed, the term "gratification" became prevalent, possessing similar definitions as "gratify". "Gratify" continued to keep its meaning of bringing delight or pleasure to an individual, which it still carries to this day, in variants such as past tense "gratified", past participle "gratified" and present participle "gratifying".