jolly



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Jolly \Jol"ly\ (j[o^]l"l[y^]), a. [Compar. Jollier
   (-l[i^]*[~e]r); superl. Jolliest.] [OF. joli, jolif,
   joyful, merry, F. joli pretty; of Scand. origin, akin to E.
   yule; cf. Icel. j[=o]l yule, Christmas feast. See Yule.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Full of life and mirth; jovial; joyous; merry; mirthful.
      [1913 Webster]

            Like a jolly troop of huntsmen.       --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            "A jolly place," said he, "in times of old!
            But something ails it now: the spot is cursed."
                                                  --Wordsworth.
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   2. Expressing mirth, or inspiring it; exciting mirth and
      gayety.
      [1913 Webster]

            And with his jolly pipe delights the groves.
                                                  --Prior.
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            Their jolly notes they chanted loud and clear.
                                                  --Fairfax.
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   3. Of fine appearance; handsome; excellent; lively;
      agreeable; pleasant. "A jolly cool wind." --Sir T. North.
      [Now mostly colloq.]
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            Full jolly knight he seemed, and fair did sit.
                                                  --Spenser.
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            The coachman is swelled into jolly dimensions. --W.
                                                  Irving.
      [1913 Webster]
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Jolly \Jol"ly\ (j[o^]l"l[y^]), v. t.
   To cause to be jolly; to make good-natured; to encourage to
   feel pleasant or cheerful; -- often implying an insincere or
   bantering spirit; hence, to poke fun at. [Colloq.]

         We want you to jolly them up a bit.      --Brander
                                                  Matthews.

         At noon we lunched at the tail of the ambulance, and
         gently "jollied" the doctor's topography. --F.
                                                  Remington.
   [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
.



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Jolly \Jol"ly\ (j[o^]l"l[y^]), n.; pl. Jollies
   (j[o^]l"l[i^]z). [Prob. fr. Jolly, a.]
   A marine in the English navy. [Sailor's Slang]

         I'm a Jolly -- 'Er Majesty's Jolly -- soldier an'
         sailor too!                              --Kipling.
   [Webster 1913 Suppl.]














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