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}.]
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1. Full of life and mirth; jovial; joyous; merry; mirthful.
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Like a jolly troop of huntsmen. --Shak.
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"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.
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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.
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