SuaviloquyToday’s word

buoyant

Buoyant, a.

Etymology: [From Buoy, v. t. & i.]

1. Having the quality of rising or floating in a fluid; tending to rise or float; as, iron is buoyant in mercury. "Buoyant on the flood." Pope.

2. Bearing up, as a fluid; sustaining another body by being specifically heavier. The water under me was buoyant. Dryden.

3. Light-hearted; vivacious; cheerful; as, a buoyant disposition; buoyant spirits. -- Buoy"ant*ly, adv.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for buoyant; he lists it under happy.

Where he writes about it:

A buoyant spirit is, as it were, borne up by joy and hope. — from happy