Hi-lār'i-ty or Hi-lăr'i-ty, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [Lat. hilaritas, Fr. hilarité, It. ilarità. See supra.] A pleasurable excitement of the animal spirits; mirth; merriment; gayety.

Hilarity differs from joy; the latter, excited by good news or prosperity, is an affection of the mind; the former, by social pleasures, drinking, &c., which rouse the animal spirits.

Synonyms—Glee; cheerfulness; mirth; merriment; gayety; joyousness; exhilaration; jovialty; jollity.