mirth

noun

Etymology: From Middle English merth, myrthe, murhthe, from Old English myrġþ (“mirth, joy”), from Proto-West Germanic *murgiþu (“briefness, brevity”); equivalent to merry + -th (abstract nominal suffix). Cognate with Middle Dutch merchte (“pleasure, joy, delight”).

1. The emotion usually following humor and accompanied by laughter.

   “But sorrow that is couch'd in seeming gladness Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness.”

   “To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at the expense of their dear friend's vulgar relations.”

2. That which causes merriment.

   “Phantasmal mirth, folded away: muskperfumed.”