joyant

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdʒɔɪənt/

Etymology 1

From joy +‎ -ant. Compare Old French joyant, joiant (“joyful; merry; rejoicing”).

Adjective

joyant (comparative more joyant, superlative most joyant)

1. (rare, dated) Joyous, joyful or jolly.
   • 1870, James Pummill, Russet Leaves, page 209:

     Yon rippling stream, whose dimpled waves Leap sparkling by the shadowy graves, Singing a song as they leap along — A joyant song as they leap along — Makes the only sound that stirs the breeze, Is the only thing which the vision sees, Moving about 'neath the church-yard trees.

   • 1904, Myra Kelly, Little Citizens [1]

     Jealousy may have played some part in the misunderstanding, for it was undeniable that there was a sprightliness, a joyant brightness, in the flowing red scarf on Ignatius Aloysius's nautical breast, which was nowhere paralleled in Patrick's more subdued array.

   • 1905, Margaretta Ayres Karr, The heavenly voice: a life of Christ in blank verse:

     As roseal day agleam with glowing light, Bespeaks the impress of a joyant hand, So when I meet my love the day is bright: The undershadows topped with glory's strand, By great illuming of the somber night, To one who else would long in shadow stand.

   • 1910, Myra Kelly, New Faces [2]

     The glow of joyant Camelot lit all the southern sky.

   • 1921, Good Housekeeping - Volume 73, page 101:

     "They're but just beginnin'. What was th' da-ay that wumman was give th' vote but th' da-ay that a joyant Eve made be Providence woke up for th' makin' av ma-an walk darint in th' way he shud go.

Related terms

• joyance

Etymology 2

Imitation of the Irish pronunciation of giant.

Noun

joyant (plural joyants)

1. Pronunciation spelling of giant.
   • 1834 April, “Great Men of Munster”, in The Irish Monthly Magazine of Politics and Literature‎^[3], volume 3, page 48:

     ''Pon my conscience,' says the joyant, says he, 'I niver knew flour to get so tough in the bakin' before,' says he.

   • 1861, Ierne: or, Anecdotes and incidents during a life chiefly in Ireland:

     Well, the joyant came at him all so suddent, that in spite of himself, he had to keep to the wings in airnest (for if he would, you know, he'd never like to be so noticeable), at all ivints, not darin' to rest himself agin ;

   • 1898, Gerald Griffin, Half sir, page 196:

     “I'll tell you that, then, says one of his great ginerals; 'send for the great joyant Congcullion, siz he, “an av he don't make her hop, says he, “you may call me an honest man.”

   • 2001, Georges Denis Zimmermann, The Irish Storyteller, page 156:

     ...and that clift in the mountain was made by Fin Ma Cool, where he cut it acrass with a big swoord, that he got made a purpose by a blacksmith out o' Ruthdrum, a cousin av his own, for to fight a joyant that darr'd him on the Curragh o' Kildare;