a. [ad. L. jocōs-us full of jesting or joking, f. jocus: see JOCO and -OSE.]
1. Of persons, or their dispositions, etc.: Full of jokes; given to joking; playful, sportive, waggish.
1673. F. Kirkman, Unlucky Citizen, 247. It was enough to depress and tame the most Jocose and bravest spirit in the World.
1709. Shaftesbury, Ess. Wit & Humour, 10. When they vouchsafe to quit their Austerity, and be jocose and pleasant with an Adversary.
1787. Wesley, Wks. (1872), XIII. 263. Jocose Clergymen … cannot but dislike those who are steadily serious.
1882. L’Estrange, Friendships Miss Mitford, I. vii. 176. That she was so far heart-whole was evident, for she could be jocose on the subject.
2. Of speech, writing or action: Of the nature of a joke, or characterized by jokes; spoken, written or done in joke; playful in style or character.
1699. Bentley, Phal., 287. The Greek Satyrica was only a jocose sort of Tragedy.
a. 1708. Beveridge, Priv. Th., i. (1730), 118. There are some Words, that are purely jocose, spoken with no other Intent, but only to promote Mirth, and divert Melancholy.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., v. So he gave her three or four with a kind of jocose gallantry.
1859. Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, xix. He caught the sound of jocose talk and ringing laughter from behind the hedges.
