n. & v.
--n.
1. (often foll. by at, in) a vivid emotion of pleasure; extreme gladness.
2 a thing that causes joy.
3 Brit. colloq. satisfaction, success (got no joy).
--v. esp. poet.
1. intr. rejoice.
2 tr. gladden.
Phrases and idioms:
joy-bells bells rung on festive occasions. wish a person joy of iron. be gladly rid of (what that person has to deal with).
Derivatives:
joyless adj. joylessly adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF joie ult. f. L gaudium f. gaudere rejoice