jollity
(ˈdʒɒlɪtɪ)
Forms: α. 4 iolif-, -yf-, -ive-, -yvete. β. 4–6 ioli-, ioly-, (5 golly-), 6–7 ioyli-, ioyly-, iolli-, 7– jolli-; 4–5 -te, 4–6 -tee, 6 -tye, -ti, 6–7 -tie, 6– -ty.
[a. OF. jolivete, joliete, jolite, f. jolif, joli: see jolly a. and -ty.]
1. The quality or condition of being jolly, light-hearted, or festive; exuberant mirth or cheerfulness; † levity, giddiness (obs.).
| a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. xxx. 89 Wymmon with the jolyfté, thou thench on Godes shoures. 1382 Wyclif Judith x. 3 She clothide hir with the clothis of hir jolite. a 1400–50 Alexander 3537 Quen al þe iolite of Giugne and Iulus was endid. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 73 The doughter of Iacob whiche for lyghtnes and iolyte of herte lefte the hous of her fader. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 105 Omnia fert ætas, both health and iolitie. 1670 Milton Hist. Eng. v. Wks. 1738 II. 86 A Youth, through jollity of mind unwilling perhaps to be detain'd long with sad and sorrowful Narrations. 1756 Burke Subl. & B. iii. xxv, The passion excited by beauty is..nearer to a species of melancholy, than to jollity and mirth. 1871 R. Ellis Catullus lxi. 238 O happiest Lovers, jollity live with you. |
2. Merrymaking, festivity, revelry; pl., Festivities, festive dissipations or enjoyments.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 28147 Caroles, iolites, and plaies. Ic haue be-haldyn. c 1440 Gesta Rom. xxvi. 100 (Harl. MS.) The knyght yede to the tornement scil. as ofte as a man goþe to the Iolytees of worldlye speculacions. c 1470 Henryson Mor. Fab. ii. (Town & C. Mouse) 292 Thus as thay sat in all their jolitie. 1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 109 For all my treasure spente on Iewells and spylte in iolytye, what recompence shall I reape besides repentaunce? 1627–77 Feltham Resolves i. xiii. 21 It comes, like an arrest of Treason in a Jollity. a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. x. §170 Not keeping company with the other Officers of the Army in their jollities, and excesses. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 80 ¶7 Winter brings natural inducements to jollity and conversation. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 321 The coarse jollity of the afternoon was often prolonged till the revellers were laid under the table. |
† 3. Pleasure, enjoyment; esp. sexual pleasure, lust. Obs.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 50 Knoute of his body gate sonnes þre, Tuo by tuo wifes, þe þrid in jolifte. a 1340 Hampole Psalter ii. 10 Enuye couartis iolifte and oþer vices. c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iii. pr. vii. 62 (Camb. MS.) Of whyche bestys al the entencyon hasteth to fulfylle hyr bodyly Iolyte. c 1386 Chaucer Sir Thopas 132 Nedes moste he fighte..For paramour and Iolitee Of oon that shoon ful brighte. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 41 [Thei] that..thought more on her iolytees and the worldes delite..thanne thei dede on the service of God. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 242 In gelt men..all vigour of lust and desire of ioylity is extinguished. |
† 4. Insolent presumption or self-confidence; presumptuous self-reliance. Obs.
| a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxiv. 7 The trespasis of my ȝouthed that is my iolifte and fole hardynes. 1549 Latimer 4th Serm. bef. Edw. VI (Arb.) 112 The pore wyddowe..wyth. ii. or thre wordes shall bryng hym downe to the grounde, and destroye his iolitye. 1581 Confer. ii. (1584) H, This he spake with great iolitie and scoffingly. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World II. v. iii. §6. 375 In this iollitie of conceit, he determined to fight. |
† 5. Gallantry, bravery. Obs.
| c 1540 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) I. 89 Wee will returne unto Carausius..renomed throwghe his jolitee in warfare. |
† 6. A beauty, grace, or personal accomplishment. Obs.
| 1484 Caxton Chivalry 46 Yf by beaute of facion, or by a body fayr grete or wel aourned, or by fayr here..and by the other Iolytees shold a Squyer be adoubed Knyght..lowe and vyle mayst thou make Knyghtes. |
† 7. A state of splendour, exaltation, or eminent prosperity; splendour, magnificence; finery of dress or array. Obs.
| 1549 Latimer 4th Serm. bef. Edw. VI (Arb.) 113 He shewed him al the kyngedomes of the worlde, and all theyr iolitye. 1565 Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 363 In the time of Pope Boniface the Eight, when the Authority of the Bishop of Rome was in greatest iollity. c 1600 Shakes. Sonn. lxvi, To behold..needie Nothing trimd in iollitie. 1620 Sanderson Serm. on 1 Kings xxi. 29 (1689) 152 To proclaim judgement against an oppressing King [Ahab] in the prime of his Jollity. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 109 The Jollity and Pomp of the Heathens is much allayed by the Puritanism and unlimited Power of the Moors. |
† 8. Pleasantry, jocularity; joke, jest. Obs.
| 1581 Savile Tacitus, Hist. ii. lxviii. (1591) 92 Two souldiers,..vpon a iolity challenged one another to wrestle. 1596 Bp. W. Barlow Three Serm. Ded. 82 Others in their iollitie haue reported that they could neuer salute the Sunne in England. 1608 D. T. Ess. Pol. & Mor. 106 They must..out of the humour of their jollities, give vent. |