a. [ L. exhilarans. -antis, p. pr. See Exhilarate. ] Exciting joy, mirth, or pleasure. --
v. t.
v. i. To become joyous. [ R. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
adj. elated, in high spirits, and envigorated. Opposite of
a. That exhilarates; cheering; gladdening. --
n. [ L., exhilaratio. ]
Exhilaration hath some affinity with joy, though it be a much lighter motion. Bacon.
a. (Bot.) Belonging to the hilum. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. hilaris, hilarus, Gr. &unr_;; cf. &unr_; gracious, kindly. ] Mirthful; noisy; merry. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. hilaritas: cf. F. hilarité. See Hilarious. ] Boisterous mirth; merriment; jollity. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ Hilarity differs from joy: the latter, excited by good news or prosperity, is an affection of the mind; the former, produced by social pleasure, drinking, etc., which rouse the animal spirits, is more demonstrative.
Formerly, one of the four terms of the courts of common law in England, beginning on the eleventh of January and ending on the thirty-first of the same month, in each year; -- so called from the festival of St. Hilary, January 13th. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The Hilary term is superseded by the Hilary sittings, which commence on the eleventh of January and end on the Wednesday before Easter. Mozley & W. [ 1913 Webster ]