Epicaricacy is a human psychological response that entails the rejoicing at, taking joy in, or getting pleasure from the misfortunes of others. [1] [2] The term is derived from the Ancient Greek ἐπί (epi), "upon") + χάρις (kharis), "joy") +κακός (kakos), "evil").[3][4] Its German language equivalent, schadenfreude, is commonly used as a loan word in English.
Epicaricacy has similarities to envy, gloating, jealousy, sadism and sardonism.
- ^ Shipley, Joseph T. (1955). Dictionary of Early English. Philosophical Library. ISBN-13: 978-0806529264.
- ^ Novobatzky, Peter (1955). Depraved and Insulting English. Harvest Books. ISBN-13: 978-0156011495.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Bailey, Nathan (1737). Universal Etymological English Dictionary. London.
- ^ Bailey, Nathan (1751). Dictionarium Britannicum. London.