The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Merry \Mer"ry\, a. [Compar. Merrier; superl. Merriest.] [OE.
   merie, mirie, murie, merry, pleasant, AS. merge, myrige,
   pleasant; cf. murge, adv.; prob. akin to OHG. murg, short,
   Goth. gama['u]rgjan to shorten; cf. L. murcus a coward, who
   cuts off his thumb to escape military service; the
   Anglo-Saxon and English meanings coming from the idea of
   making the time seem short. Cf. Mirth.]
   1. Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good
      spirits; jovial; inclined to laughter or play; sportive.
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            They drank, and were merry with him.  --Gen. xliii.
                                                  34.
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            I am never merry when I hear sweet music. --Shak.
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   2. Cheerful; joyous; not sad; happy.
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            Is any merry? let him sing psalms.    --Jas. v. 13.
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   3. Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight; as, a merry
      jest. "Merry wind and weather." --Spenser.
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   Merry dancers. See under Dancer.

   Merry men, followers; retainers. [Obs.]
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            His merie men commanded he
            To make him bothe game and glee.      --Chaucer.
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   To make merry, to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to
      feast with mirth. --Judg. ix. 27.
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   Syn: Cheerful; blithe; lively; sprightly; vivacious; gleeful;
        joyous; mirthful; jocund; sportive; hilarious.
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