merry : Idioms & Phrases

• etymology uncertain, a saying supposed by some to be a corruption of "As merry as a Greek; " by others, to be an allusion to the cricket.

Webster 1913

• verb celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities
  jollify; make whoopie; revel; whoop it up; wassail; racket; make happy.
  
  • The members of the wedding party made merry all night
  • Let's whoop it up--the boss is gone!

WordNet

• noun a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
  goof; goofball; buffoon; clown.
  

WordNet

• noun any of various plants of the genus Uvularia having yellowish drooping bell-shaped flowers
  bellwort; wild oats.
  

WordNet

• . See under Dancer.

Webster 1913

• followers; retainers. Obs.

  His merie men commanded he To make him bothe game and glee. Chaucer.

Webster 1913

Mer"ry-an"drew noun

Definitions

1. One whose business is to make sport for others; a buffoon; a zany; especially, one who attends a mountebank or quack doctor. ✍ This term is said to have originated from one Andrew Borde, an English physician of the 16th century, who gained patients by facetious speeches to the multitude.

Webster 1913

• noun a never-ending cycle of activities and events (especially when they seem to have little purpose)
  
  • if we lose the election the whole legislative merry-go-round will have to start over
• noun a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement
  roundabout; whirligig; carrousel; carousel.
  

WordNet

Mer"ry-go`-round" noun

Definitions

1. Any revolving contrivance for affording amusement; esp., a ring of flying hobbyhorses.

Webster 1913

• beams of the northern lights when they rise and fall alternately without any considerable change of length. See Aurora borealis, under Aurora.

Webster 1913

• to feast; to be joyful or jovial.
• to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to feast with mirth. Judg. ix. 27.

Webster 1913