Category:Jolly

Jol"ly, a. [Compar. Jollier; superl. Jolliest.] Etym: [OF. joli, jolif, joyful, merry, F. joli pretty; of Scand. origin, akin to E. yule; cf. Icel. j yule, Christmass feast. See Yule.]

1. Full of life and mirth; jovial; joyous; merry; mirthful. Like a jolly troop of huntsmen. Shak. "A jolly place," said he, "in times of old! But something ails it now: the spot is cursed." Wordsworth.

2. Expressing mirth, or inspiring it; exciting mirth and gayety. And with his jolly pipe delights the groves. Prior. Their jolly notes they chanted loud and clear. Fairfax.

3. Of fine appearance; handsome; excellent; lively; agreeable; pleasant. "A jolly cool wind." Sir T. North. [Now mostly colloq.] Full jolly knight he seemed, and fair did sit. Spenser. The coachman is swelled into jolly dimensions. W. Irving.