Mĕr'ry1, a.
a. [compar. MERRIER; superl. MERRIEST.] [A-S. merh, mirig, myrig, Ir. & Gael. mear.]
Sense 1. Brisk; lively; stirring.
There eke my feeble bark a while may stay, Till merry wind and weather call her thence away. Spenser.
Sense 2. Noisily gay; overflowing with good humor and good spirits; hilarious; jovial; exhilarated to laughter.
They drank, and were merry with him. Gen. xliii. 34.
I am never merry when I hear sweet music. Shak.
Man is the merriest species of the creation. Addison.
Sense 3. Cheerful; not sad; joyous.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms. James v. 13.
Sense 4. Causing laughter or mirth; as, a merry jest.
To make merry, to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to feast with mirth. Judges ix. 27.
Synonyms—Cheerful; blithe; blithesome; airy; lively; sprightly; vivacious; gleeful; joyous; mirthful; jocund; sportive.