Word of the Day

Saturday, April 13, 2002

jocund

\JOCK-uhnd; JOH-kuhnd\ , adjective;

Full of or expressing high-spirited merriment; light-hearted; mirthful.

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Quotes:

His careless manners and jocund repartees might well seem incompatible with anything serious.

-- William Prescott, History of the Conquest of Mexico

There was once a widow, fair, young, free, rich, and withal very pleasant and jocund, that fell in love with a certain round and well-set servant of a college.

-- Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote (translated by Thomas Shelton)

Many a glad good morrow and jocund laugh from the young folk
Made the bright air brighter.

-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "Evangeline",

Origin:

Jocund is from Old French jocond, from Latin jucundus, "pleasant, agreeable, delightful," from juvare, "to please, to delight."