ˈover-ˈjoy, n.
[over- 29.]
Excess of joy, too great joy. So ˈover-ˈjoyful a., too joyful; ˈover-ˈjoyous a., too joyous.
| [1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, i. i. 31 Termes, such as my wit affoords, And ouer ioy of heart doth minister.] a 1631 Donne Lett. (1651) 299 The over-joy of that recovered mee. 1711 J. Greenwood Eng. Gram. 196 Overjoyfull. 1791 F. Burney Diary Aug., Tears shed..all for over-joy. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh i. 47 Born To make my father sadder, and myself Not overjoyous. 1870 Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. xxxii. 11 One who died at the foot of the scaffold of overjoy at the receipt of his monarch's pardon. |