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jovial: msg#00019

culture.language.word-of-the-day

Subject: jovial

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It's National Poetry Month! Set your own poetry in motion
with Merriam-Webster's Rhyming Dictionary.
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The Word of the Day for April 19 is:

jovial \JOH-vee-ul\ adjective
1 capitalized : of or relating to Jove
*2 : markedly good-humored especially as evidenced by jollity and
conviviality

Example sentence:
Andy remembered his Uncle Jim as a jovial, easy-going gentleman with a
ready smile, a firm handshake, and a cheery greeting for all.

Did you know?
In Roman astrology, planets were named after gods, and people were thought
to share the personality traits of the god whose planet was rising when they
were born. Jupiter, also called Jove, was the chief Roman god and was
considered a majestic, authoritative type who was the source of joy and
happiness. The Late Latin adjective "jovialis" meant "of or relating to Jove."
In Middle French this had become "jovial." English speakers picked up "jovial"
in the late 16th century and began applying it to folks who shared the majestic
or good-natured character of Jupiter (regardless of their zodiac sign).

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.






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