Gay , n. An ornament [Obs.]
L'Estrange.
Gay (?), a.
[Compar. Gayer (?); superl.
Gayest.]
[F. gai, perhaps fr. OHG. g&?;hi swift, rapid, G. gäh,
jäh, steep, hasty; or cf. OHG. w&?;hi beatiful, good. Cf. Jay.]
1. Excited with merriment; manifesting sportiveness or delight; inspiring delight; livery; merry.
Belinda smiled, and all the world
was gay.
Pope. Gay hope is
theirs by fancy fed.
Gray.
2. Brilliant in colors; splendid; fine; richly dressed.
Why is my neighbor's
wife so gay?
Chaucer.
A bevy of fair women, richly gay
In gems and wanton dress!
Milton. 3. Loose;
dissipated; lewd.
[Colloq.]
Syn. -- Merry; gleeful; blithe; airy; lively; sprightly, sportive; light-hearted; frolicsome; jolly; jovial; joyous; joyful; glad; showy; splendid; vivacious.
Hear it pronounced