Jŏl'ly, a.

a. [compar. JOLLIER; superl. JOLLIEST.] [O. Fr. joli, jolif, joyful, merry, N. Fr. joli, pretty, Pr. joli, It. giulivo, from Icel. jol, Sw. & Dan. jul, Goth. jūleïs, Eng. yule, Christmas-feast. See YULE.] 1. Full of life and mirth; jovial; joyous; merry. “Like a jolly troop of huntsmen.” Shak. A jolly place, he said, in times of old! But something ails it now: the spot is cursed. Wordsworth. 2. Expressing mirth, or inspiring it; exciting mirth and gayety. And with his jolly pipe delights the groves. Prior. Their jolly notes they chanted loud and clear. Fairfax. 3. Of fine appearance; handsome; plump. Full jolly knight he seemed. Spenser. The coachman is swelled into jolly dimensions by frequent potations of malt liquors. W. Irving.