— mirthless , adj.
/merrth/ , n.
1. gaiety or jollity, esp. when accompanied by laughter: the excitement and mirth of the holiday season.
2. amusement or laughter: He was unable to conceal his mirth.
[ bef. 900; ME mirthe, OE myrgth. See MERRY, -TH 1 ]
Syn. 1, 2. MIRTH, GLEE, HILARITY, MERRIMENT, JOLLITY, JOVIALITY refer to the gaiety characterizing people who are enjoying the companionship of others. MIRTH suggests spontaneous amusement or gaiety, manifested briefly in laughter: uncontrolled outbursts of mirth. GLEE suggests an effervescence of high spirits or exultation, often manifested in playful or ecstatic gestures; it may apply also to a malicious rejoicing over mishaps to others: glee over the failure of a rival. HILARITY implies noisy and boisterous mirth, often exceeding the limits of reason or propriety: hilarity aroused by practical jokes.
MERRIMENT suggests fun, good spirits, and good nature rather than the kind of wit and sometimes artificial funmaking that cause hilarity: The house resounded with music and sounds of merriment. JOLLITY and JOVIALITY may refer either to a general atmosphere of mirthful festivity or to the corresponding traits of individuals. JOLLITY implies an atmosphere of easy and convivial gaiety, a more hearty merriment or a less boisterous hilarity: The holiday was a time of jollity. JOVIALITY implies a more mellow merriment generated by people who are hearty, generous, benevolent, and high-spirited: the joviality of warm-hearted friends.
Ant. 1. gloom.