gratificate

Gratificate is an English verb meaning to gratify or reward, to give pleasure to someone, or to grant a reward or concession. It is a relatively rare and formal term in contemporary English, and is more commonly encountered in historical or ceremonial writing. In everyday usage, speakers and writers typically choose gratify, reward, or provide a favorable gesture rather than gratificate.

Etymology and related forms: the word derives from Latin gratificare, formed from grat- meaning pleasing and -ficare meaning to make. It entered English through earlier Romance or directly from Latin, and it is related to gratitude, gratification, and gratifying. The sense centers on the act of making someone pleased or satisfying a claim by giving a reward or favor, rather than merely causing pleasure.

Usage and modern status: gratificate is largely archaic or literary in modern English. It tends to appear in older legal documents, classical prose, or poetic contexts. In contemporary writing, its use is usually avoided in favor of more common verbs such as gratify (to please or satisfy), reward (to give a reward), or grant (to bestow a right or benefit). When encountered, gratificate generally carries a formal or ceremonious tone.

See also: gratify, gratification, gratifying, gratefully, gratified. Historical dictionaries may list gratificate as an obsolete or rarely used term, noting its function as a verb meaning to provide gratification or to confer a favor or reward.

In summary, gratificate is a rare, formal verb meaning to grant gratification or a reward, most often found in older or ceremonial English rather than in contemporary everyday usage.