a. [ F., fr. L. Jovialis pertaining to Jove. The planet Jupiter was thought to make those born under it joyful or jovial. See Jove. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. [ capitalized ] Of or pertaining to the god, or the planet, Jupiter. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Our jovial star reigned at his birth. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fixed stars astrologically differenced by the planets, and esteemed Martial or Jovial according to the colors whereby they answer these planets. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Sunny; serene. [ Obs. ] “The heavens always joviall.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Gay; merry; joyous; jolly; mirth-inspiring; hilarious; characterized by mirth or jollity; as, a jovial youth; a jovial company; a jovial poem. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be bright and jovial among your guests. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

His odes are some of them panegyrical, others moral; the rest are jovial or bacchanalian. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word is a relic of the belief in planetary influence. Other examples are saturnine, mercurial, martial, lunatic, etc.

Syn. -- Merry; joyous; gay; festive; mirthful; gleeful; jolly; hilarious. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who lives a jovial life. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. jovialité. ] The quality or state of being jovial. Sir T. Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a jovial manner; merrily; gayly. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Noisy mirth; joviality. Hewyt. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Joviality. [ R. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. a. Of or pertaining to Jove, or Jupiter (either the deity or the planet). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Jove, and Center. ] (Astron.) Revolving around the planet Jupiter; appearing as viewed from Jupiter. [ R. ] J. R. Hind. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Script. Hist.) An adherent to the doctrines of Jovinian, a monk of the fourth century, who denied the virginity of Mary, and opposed the asceticism of his time. [ 1913 Webster ]