Category:Gay

Gay, a. [Compar. Gayer; superl. Gayest.] Etym: [F. gai, perhaps fr. OHG. g swift, rapid, G. gäh, jäh, steep, hasty; or cf. OHG. w beatiful, good. Cf. Jay.]

1. Excited with merriment; manifesting sportiveness or delight; inspiring delight; livery; merry. Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay. Pope. Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed. Gray.

2. Brilliant in colors; splendid; fine; richly dressed. Why is my neighbor's wife so gay Chaucer. A bevy of fair women, richly gay In gems and wanton dressMilton.

3. Loose; dissipated; lewd. [Colloq.]

Syn. -- Merry; gleeful; blithe; airy; lively; sprightly, sportive; light- hearted; frolicsome; jolly; jovial; joyous; joyful; glad; showy; splendid; vivacious.

gay Gay, n.

Defn: An ornament [Obs.] L'Estrange.