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. joy-bells bells rung on festive occasions. wish a person joy of iron. be gladly rid of (what that person has to deal with). joyless adj. joylessly adv.
[ ME f. OF joie ult. f. L gaudium f. gaudere rejoice ]