jol´li|ness

jol|ly «JOL ee», adjective, -li|er, -li|est, adverb, verb, -lied, -ly|ing, noun, plural -lies.

–adj.

1. very cheerful; full of fun; merry: »

And then shook his ears, and was as jolly as ever (Charles Kingsley).

SYNONYM(S): gay, joyful, mirthful, jovial.

2. Especially British Informal. a) pleasant or delightful: »

a jolly room. I've got such a jolly pony (Thackeray).

SYNONYM(S): agreeable. b) big; great: »

a jolly fool. They had a jolly fight.

3. Archaic. tipsy.

–adv.

Especially British Informal. extremely; very: »

a jolly good time. My friend, you made a mistake, and you jolly well know it (Rudyard Kipling).

–v.t.

1. Informal. to flatter (a person) to make him feel good or agreeable: »

Jolly him up a bit.

2. to tease playfully; banter.

–v.i.

1. Informal. to jolly someone; banter.

2. to make merry.

–n.

1. Informal. flattering words to make a person feel good or agreeable, often to gain some end.

2. Informal. gay entertainment; merrymaking.

3. British Slang. a royal marine.

╂[< Old French joli festive, merry, well-dressed, perhaps < a Germanic word]

–jol´li|er, noun.

–jol´li|ly, adverb.

–jol´li|ness, noun.