joy

Etymology 1

From Middle English joye, borrowed from Old French joie, from Late Latin gaudia, neuter plural (mistaken as feminine singular) of Latin gaudium (“joy”), from gaudēre (“to be glad, rejoice”). Doublet of jo and gaudy (“Oxford college reunion”). Displaced native Old English ġefēa.

noun

1. A feeling of extreme happiness or cheerfulness, especially related to the acquisition or expectation of something good.
   a child's joy on Christmas morning
   They will be a source of strength and joy in your life.
   […]purſued his vnneighbourly purpoſe in ſuch ſort: that hee being the ſtronger perſwader, and ſhe (belike) too credulous in beleeuing or elſe ouer-feeble in reſiſting, from priuate imparlance, they fell to action; and continued their cloſe fight a long while together, vnſeene and vvithout ſuſpition, no doubt to their equall ioy and contentment. 1620, Giovanni Bocaccio, translated by John Florio, The Decameron, Containing an Hundred Pleaſant Nouels: Wittily Diſcourſed, Betweene Seuen Honourable Ladies, and Three Noble Gentlemen, Isaac Iaggard, Nouell 8, The Eighth Day
2. Anything that causes such a feeling.
   the joys and demands of parenthood
3. Luck or success; a positive outcome.
   Grant had no joy with taking a nap, so he began to systematically feel if everything was working: fingers and toes, etc. 2012, Colin Owen, Colin's Shorts, volume 2, page 65
   'Rob? It's Gary. Are you having any joy with this trip to Bali?' 'No joy at all, mate. I reckon Bali's out for the foreseeable future. […] 2012, Robert Stansbridge, Bia's Wedding, page 4
4. (obsolete) The sign or exhibition of joy; gaiety; merriment; festivity.

Etymology 2

From Middle English joyen, joȝen, joien, from Old French jöir, from the noun (see above).

verb

1. (intransitive) To feel joy, to rejoice.
   I joy to see you wear around your neck the holy relic I bestowed on you;—but what Moorish charmlet is that you wear beside it? 1829, Walter Scott, chapter 8, in Anne of Geierstein, volume 3, Edinburgh: Cadell, page 222
   1885, Richard Francis Burton (translator), The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 18, “Tale of the Portress,” p. 178, I swore readily enough to this and he joyed with exceeding joy and embraced me round the neck while love for him possessed my whole heart.
2. (transitive, archaic) To enjoy.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To give joy to; to congratulate.
4. (transitive, obsolete) To gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate.