What is the origin of word gloat?

The word "gloat" has an interesting origin, stemming from the Old Norse word "glata," which means "to stare" or "to look fixedly."

Here's a breakdown of its linguistic journey:

1. Old Norse: "glata" - meaning "to stare" or "to look fixedly"

2. Middle English: "gloten" - meaning "to stare" or "to gaze intently"

3. Modern English: "gloat" - meaning "to dwell on one's success or another's misfortune with smug satisfaction"

Over time, the meaning evolved from simply looking to a more specific action of enjoying another's misfortune. It's believed this shift in meaning happened due to the association of staring with malicious intent or triumphant glee.

Therefore, the origin of "gloat" is rooted in the concept of intense, often predatory, looking, which has morphed to describe the act of taking pleasure in another's misfortune.