GAY, adjective 1. Merry; airy; jovial; sportive; frolicksome. It denotes more life and animation than cheerful. Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay 2. Fine; showy; as a gay dress. 3. Inflamed or merry with liquor; intoxicated; a vulgar use of the word in America. GAY, noun An ornament. [Not used.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI