frolic English · revision 1898

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfɹɒlɪk/ ''(UK)''; /ˈfɹɑlɪk/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|nl|vrolijk|t=merry, joyful]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) [[der|dum|vrolijc|t=happy]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from ''vro'' “glad, happy”^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) and ''-lijc'' “-like”.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) Middle Dutch ''vro'' is related to German ''froh'' “glad”^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) and Old Norse ''frár'' “swift”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) Etymonline connects it with the root of [[frog]], giving an underlying sense like “jumping for joy”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As an adjective, joyous, merry, full of mirth (1538).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb, to make merry, followed (1583 in Barnhart, 1593 in the OED and Merriam-Webster),^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) and later took the sense of playing pranks and romping about.^(OED 1989)^(AHD)^(RHWU) The noun is recorded from 1616,^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) meaning an outburst of fun or a prank, and also a merrymaking or party.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1538 – adjective, merry.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1583 – verb (Barnhart; 1593 in the OED and Merriam-Webster).^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1616 – noun, mirth or a prank.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * c. 1645 – a merrymaking, a party.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To play in a lively, carefree way; to [[romp]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To make merry; to engage in fun, joking or teasing.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # Fun or [[merriment]]; [[gaiety]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A playful or mischievous act; a [[prank]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A merry occasion or party.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Merry; full of fun.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[frolicker]]

+ * [[frolicsome]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[rollick]]

+ * [[frog]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}