jollity

Noun

jollity (countable and uncountable, plural jollities)

1. (uncountable) The state of being jolly; jolliness, cheerfulness.
   • But I pitty the flatteries, and ſelfe-applauſes of a careleſſe and impenitent heart: This jollity hath in it much danger, and vvithout ſome change, death.1651, Jos[eph] Hall, “Soliloq[uy] XI. False Joy.”, in Susurrium cum Deo. Soliloquies: Or, Holy Self-conferences of the Devout Soul, […], 2nd edition, London: […] Will[iam] Hunt, and are to be sold by...
   • The Jolly Sandboys was a small road-side inn of pretty ancient date, with a sign, representing three Sandboys increasing their jollity with as many jugs of ale and bags of gold.1840 April – 1841 November, Charles Dickens, “Chapter the Eighteenth”, in The Old Curiosity Shop. A Tale. […], volume I, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1841, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   joy, joviality, blitheness, blithesomeness, cheerfulness, cheeriness, contentness, contentedness, delight, delightedness

2. (countable) Revelry or festivity; a merry or festive gathering.
   • Across the US, candidates traditionally attend rallies, barbecues and similar jollities in their states and districts.2006 September 4, Rupert Cornwell, “You'd think it was the Thirties all over again”, in Independent, UK, retrieved 21 Sep 2009
3. (countable) Things, remarks, or characteristics which are enjoyable.
   • Add to this picture a jolly, crackling, rollicking fire, going rejoicingly up a great wide chimney,—the outer door and every window being set wide open, and the calico window-curtain flopping and snapping in a good stiff breeze of damp raw air,—and you have an idea of the jollities of a Kentucky...1851 June – 1852 April, Harriet Beecher Stowe, chapter 11, in Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life among the Lowly, volume (please specify |volume=I or II), Boston, Mass.: John P[unchard] Jewett & Company...