jovial

a. [ F., fr. L. Jovialis pertaining to Jove. The planet Jupiter was thought to make those born under it joyful or jovial. See Jove. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. [ capitalized ] Of or pertaining to the god, or the planet, Jupiter. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Our jovial star reigned at his birth. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fixed stars astrologically differenced by the planets, and esteemed Martial or Jovial according to the colors whereby they answer these planets. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Sunny; serene. [ Obs. ] “The heavens always joviall.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Gay; merry; joyous; jolly; mirth-inspiring; hilarious; characterized by mirth or jollity; as, a jovial youth; a jovial company; a jovial poem. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be bright and jovial among your guests. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

His odes are some of them panegyrical, others moral; the rest are jovial or bacchanalian. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word is a relic of the belief in planetary influence. Other examples are saturnine, mercurial, martial, lunatic, etc.

Syn. -- Merry; joyous; gay; festive; mirthful; gleeful; jolly; hilarious. [ 1913 Webster ]