different between gaiety vs jollity

English

Etymology

From French gaieté, from French gai

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??e?.?.ti/, /??e?.?.ti/
• Hyphenation: gai?e?ty
• Rhymes: -e??ti

Noun

gaiety (countable and uncountable, plural gaieties)

1. (dated, uncountable) The state of being happy or merry.

2. (dated, countable) Merrymaking or festivity.

Synonyms

• (state of being happy): gayness

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English jolyfte, from Old French joliveté (“gaity, cheerfulness; amorous passion; life of pleasure”), from jolif (see jolly).

Noun

jollity (countable and uncountable, plural jollities)

1. (uncountable) The state of being jolly; cheerfulness.
   • 1841, Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, ch. 18:

     The Jolly Sandboys was a small road-side inn of pretty ancient date, with a sign, representing three Sandboys increasing their jollity with as many jugs of ale and bags of gold.
2. (countable) Revelry or festivity; a merry or festive gathering.
   • 2006, Rupert Cornwell, "You'd think it was the Thirties all over again," Independent (UK), 4 Sept. (retrieved 21 Sept. 2009):

     Across the US, candidates traditionally attend rallies, barbecues and similar jollities in their states and districts.

3. (countable) Things, remarks, or characteristics which are enjoyable.
   • 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, ch. 11:

     Add to this picture a jolly, crackling, rollicking fire, going rejoicingly up a great wide chimney,—the outer door and every window being set wide open, and the calico window-curtain flopping and snapping in a good stiff breeze of damp raw air,—and you have an idea of the jollities of a Kentucky tavern.

Anagrams

• joltily