Jolly /(jŏl"ly̆)/

1. Full of life and mirth; jovial; joyous; merry; mirthful.

   Like a jolly troop of huntsmen.

   “A jolly place,” said he, “in times of old! But something ails it now: the spot is cursed.”

2. Expressing mirth, or inspiring it; exciting mirth and gayety.

   And with his jolly pipe delights the groves.

   Their jolly notes they chanted loud and clear.

3. Of fine appearance; handsome; excellent; lively; agreeable; pleasant. [Now mostly colloq.]

   Full jolly knight he seemed, and fair did sit.

   The coachman is swelled into jolly dimensions.

1. To cause to be jolly; to make good-natured; to encourage to feel pleasant or cheerful; -- often implying an insincere or bantering spirit; hence, to poke fun at. [Colloq.]

   We want you to jolly them up a bit.

   At noon we lunched at the tail of the ambulance, and gently “jollied” the doctor's topography.

pl. Jollies ((jŏl"lĭz))

1. A marine in the English navy. [Sailor's Slang]

   I'm a Jolly -- 'Er Majesty's Jolly -- soldier an' sailor too!