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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

jovial \jo"vi*al\, a. [F., fr. L. Jovialis pertaining to Jove.
The planet Jupiter was thought to make those born under it
joyful or jovial. See {Jove}.]
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1. [capitalized] Of or pertaining to the god, or the planet,
Jupiter. [Obs.]
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Our jovial star reigned at his birth. --Shak.
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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.
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2. Sunny; serene. [Obs.] "The heavens always joviall."
--Spenser.
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3. Gay; merry; joyous; jolly; mirth-inspiring; hilarious;
characterized by mirth or jollity; as, a jovial youth; a
jovial company; a jovial poem.
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Be bright and jovial among your guests. --Shak.
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His odes are some of them panegyrical, others moral;
the rest are jovial or bacchanalian. --Dryden.
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Note: 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.
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