1916.On Enjoy

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On "Enjoy" (OED, III: 188) 4.

(something which affords pleasure, or is of the nature of an advantage. 1874 Animals enjoying a much lower degree of intelligence.

Sometimes used catachrestically with obj. denoting something not pleasurable or advantageous.

Chiefly in expressions like 'to enjoy poor health,' 'to enjoy an indifferent reputation,' where the sb. has properly a favourable sense, qualified adversely by the adj .. Uses like those in quotS: 1577, a 1633, to which this explanation does not apply, could not now occur .

1577In weaker sense: To have the use or benefit of, have for one's lot . . . What shall I speake of Pertinax and what of Julian? En-
Or
~joyed not both theya--re kinde of death? a 1663 . . His Father, Mother and all his friends . . ^{" . were not a little sorrowful to enjoy his absence. 1834 . At best she enjoys poor health. 1871 ... The reigns of Alexander Severus and Caraca1la ... enjoyed an unhappy distinction for their grinding taxation.}