The word "happiness" has its roots in Middle English and is derived from the word "happy," which in turn comes from the Old English word "hap," meaning "chance" or "luck." The suffix "-ness" is a noun-forming suffix that denotes a state or condition. The word "hap" is related to the Old Norse word "happ," which also means "good luck" or "fortune." Thus, "happy" originally conveyed a sense of being favored by fortune or having good luck. Over time, the meaning evolved to denote a state of contentment or joy. So, "happiness" originally referred to the state of having good fortune or luck, but its meaning has since expanded to encompass a general sense of well-being and joy.