Obs. Also 5 ioyous(e)te, ioyeusete. [a. F. joyeuseté (14–15th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), f. joios, joyeux JOYOUS: see -TY, -ITY.] The quality or state of being joyous; joyous or mirthful behavior; mirth, disport.
[a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 128. To eschewe diuerse plesauncez, disportes, and other Ioyeusete [printed Ioyeuseie].
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 112/1. Hylaire is said of Ioyouste for he was ioyous in the seruyce of god. Ibid. (1491), Vitas Patr. (W. de W., 1495), I. xl. 61 b/1. She sawe alle Ioyousete and gladnesse.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., IV. Wks. 1846, II. 319. Such pastyme to thame is but joyousitie, whairin our Queyn was brocht up.
1819. W. Tennant, Papistry Storm’d (1827), 10. ’Mid sic joyeusitie, I wot Th’ east neuk o’ Fife was nae forgot.
