Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Merrier"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Merry \Mer"ry\, 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. gama['u]rgjan 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.
They drank, and were merry with him. --Gen. xliii.
34.
I am never merry when I hear sweet music. --Shak.
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