Delectavit

Delectavit is a Latin verb form meaning “he/she/it delighted” or “has delighted.” It is the third-person singular perfect active indicative of delectare, a first-conjugation verb meaning “to please, delight, charm.” The principal parts are delecto, delectare, delectavi, delectatum. From these the perfect stem delectav- yields delectavit; the present tense form is delectat (“he/she/it pleases”). The supine is delectatum, and the past participle is delectatus.

Usage and grammar: In Classical Latin, delectavit denotes a completed act of pleasing. The thing that is pleasing is typically the subject, while the person pleased is often expressed in the dative. For example, hoc carmen mihi delectavit translates as “This poem pleased me.” Alternatively, one may encounter verbs or clauses in which the thing eliciting delight appears as the subject, with the dative marking the affected person.

Etymology and related forms: Delectavit comes from delectare, with the related noun delectatio meaning “delight.” Related participles include delectatus (having been delighted) and delectatum (the supine form). The base verb is commonly used in various Romance languages as the source of words meaning “delight” or “pleasure.”

English connection: Delectavit and its cognates appear in Latin texts and in scholarly translations. In English, the sense is captured by “delighted” or “pleased,” depending on tense and voice, with context guiding whether the focus is on the thing that caused pleasure or on the person who was pleased.