a. [ Compar. Merrier superl. Merriest. ] [ OE. merie, mirie, murie, merry, pleasant, AS. merge, myrige, pleasant; cf. murge, adv.; prob. akin to OHG. murg, short, Goth. gamaúrgjan to shorten; cf. L. murcus a coward, who cuts off his thumb to escape military service; the Anglo-Saxon and English meanings coming from the idea of making the time seem short. Cf. Mirth. ] 1. Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good spirits; jovial; inclined to laughter or play; sportive. [ 1913 Webster ] They drank, and were merry with him. Gen. xliii. 34. [ 1913 Webster ] I am never merry when I hear sweet music. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Cheerful; joyous; not sad; happy. [ 1913 Webster ] Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Jas. v. 13. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight; as, a merry jest. “Merry wind and weather.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
Merry dancers. See under Dancer. --
Merry men, followers; retainers. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] His merie men commanded he
To make him bothe game and glee. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] --
To make merry, to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to feast with mirth. Judg. ix. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Cheerful; blithe; lively; sprightly; vivacious; gleeful; joyous; mirthful; jocund; sportive; hilarious. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
