different between pleasure vs jollity

English

Etymology

From Early Modern English pleasur, plesur, alteration (with ending accommodated to -ure) of Middle English plaisir (“pleasure”), from Old French plesir, plaisir (“to please”), infinitive used as a noun, conjugated form of plaisir or plaire, from Latin place? (“to please, to seem good”), from the Proto-Indo-European *pleh?-k- (“wide and flat”). Related to Dutch plezier (“pleasure, fun”). More at please.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?pl???/
• (General American) enPR: pl?zh??r, IPA^(key): /?pl???/
• Rhymes: -???(?)
• Hyphenation: pleas?ure

Noun

pleasure (countable and uncountable, plural pleasures)

1. (uncountable) A state of being pleased or contented; gratification.

   Synonyms: delight, gladness, gratification, happiness, indulgence, satisfaction

   Antonyms: displeasure, pain
2. (countable) A person, thing or action that causes enjoyment.

   Synonyms: delight, joy

   • Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure
3. (uncountable) One's preference.

   Synonyms: desire, fancy, want, will, wish

4. (formal, uncountable) The will or desire of someone or some agency in power.

   Synonym: discretion

   • He will do his pleasure on Babylon.

Derived terms

Translations

Interjection

pleasure

1. pleased to meet you, "It's my pleasure"

Verb

pleasure (third-person singular simple present pleasures, present participle pleasuring, simple past and past participle pleasured)

1. (transitive) To give or afford pleasure to.

   Synonyms: please, gratify
2. (transitive) To give sexual pleasure to.

3. (intransitive, dated) To take pleasure; to seek or pursue pleasure.

Translations

Related terms

• displeasure
• please
• pleasant

Further reading

• pleasure in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• pleasure in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• serpulae

English

Etymology

From Middle English jolyfte, from Old French joliveté (“gaity, cheerfulness; amorous passion; life of pleasure”), from jolif (see jolly).

Noun

jollity (countable and uncountable, plural jollities)

1. (uncountable) The state of being jolly; cheerfulness.
   • 1841, Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, ch. 18:

     The Jolly Sandboys was a small road-side inn of pretty ancient date, with a sign, representing three Sandboys increasing their jollity with as many jugs of ale and bags of gold.
2. (countable) Revelry or festivity; a merry or festive gathering.
   • 2006, Rupert Cornwell, "You'd think it was the Thirties all over again," Independent (UK), 4 Sept. (retrieved 21 Sept. 2009):

     Across the US, candidates traditionally attend rallies, barbecues and similar jollities in their states and districts.

3. (countable) Things, remarks, or characteristics which are enjoyable.
   • 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, ch. 11:

     Add to this picture a jolly, crackling, rollicking fire, going rejoicingly up a great wide chimney,—the outer door and every window being set wide open, and the calico window-curtain flopping and snapping in a good stiff breeze of damp raw air,—and you have an idea of the jollities of a Kentucky tavern.

Anagrams

• joltily