\Mer"ry\, a. [Compar. {Merrier}; superl. {Merriest}.] [OE.
merie, mirie, murie, merry, pleasant, AS. merge, myrige,
pleasant; cf. murge, adv.; prob. akin to OHG. murg, short,
Goth. gama['u]rgjan to shorten; cf. L. murcus a coward, who
cuts off his thumb to escape military service; the
Anglo-Saxon and English meanings coming from the idea of
making the time seem short. Cf. {Mirth}.]
1. Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good
   spirits; jovial; inclined to laughter or play; sportive.
         They drank, and were merry with him.  --Gen. xliii.
                                               34.
         I am never merry when I hear sweet music. --Shak.
2. Cheerful; joyous; not sad; happy.
         Is any merry ? let him sing psalms.   --Jas. v. 13.
3. Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight; as, ? merry
   jest. ``Merry wind and weather.'' --Spenser.
{Merry dancers}. See under {Dancer}.
{Merry men}, followers; retainers. [Obs.]
         His merie men commanded he To make him bothe game
         and glee.                             --Chaucer.
{To make merry}, to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to
   feast with mirth. --Judg. ix. 27.
Syn: Cheerful; blithe; lively; sprightly; vivacious; gleeful;
     joyous; mirthful; jocund; sportive; hilarious.

\Mer"ry\, n. (Bot.)
A kind of wild red cherry.