Family member misses beginning of happiness (7)
I believe the answer is:
elation
'happiness' is the definition.
(elation can mean intense happiness)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elation that I've seen before include "Transport" , "Euphoria of toenail" , "Ecstasy -- toenail (anag)" , "State of pleasure about toe-nail" , "There's great joy" .)