merriest

1 definition found

merriest - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Merry \Mer"ry\, a. [Compar. Merrier; superl. Merriest.] [OE.
     merie, mirie, murie, merry, pleasant, AS. merge, myrige,
     pleasant; cf. murge, adv.; prob. akin to OHG. murg, short,
     Goth. gama['u]rgjan to shorten; cf. L. murcus a coward, who
     cuts off his thumb to escape military service; the
     Anglo-Saxon and English meanings coming from the idea of
     making the time seem short. Cf. Mirth.]
     1. Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good
        spirits; jovial; inclined to laughter or play; sportive.
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              They drank, and were merry with him.  --Gen. xliii.
                                                    34.
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              I am never merry when I hear sweet music. --Shak.
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     2. Cheerful; joyous; not sad; happy.
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              Is any merry? let him sing psalms.    --Jas. v. 13.
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     3. Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight; as, a merry
        jest. "Merry wind and weather." --Spenser.
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     Merry dancers. See under Dancer.
  
     Merry men, followers; retainers. [Obs.]
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              His merie men commanded he
              To make him bothe game and glee.      --Chaucer.
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     To make merry, to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to
        feast with mirth. --Judg. ix. 27.
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     Syn: Cheerful; blithe; lively; sprightly; vivacious; gleeful;
          joyous; mirthful; jocund; sportive; hilarious.
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