[f. L. type *jocōsitās, f. jocōsus JOCOSE: see -ITY. Cf. It. giocosità (1611 in Florio), Sp. jocosidad.] Jocose quality or disposition, mirthfulness; esp. as exhibited in speech or action: mirth, merriment.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VII. xvi. 372. A laugh there is of contempt or indignation, as well as of mirth and Jocosity.
1778. Mad. D’Arblay, Diary, 26 Aug. A curious trait … of Dr. Johnson’s jocosity.
1874. Helps, Soc. Press., ., xiv. (1875), 199. A low-minded creature, whose only idea of wit or jocosity is to give others pain.
b. A jocose saying or act; a piece of jesting.
1859. Masson, Brit. Novelists, i. 42. Early fabliaux, passing from mouth to mouth as rude jocosities.
1865. Sat. Rev., 29 July, 151/1. A fabricator of small jocosities affecting the manner of a great humourist.
