Joyous, a.
Etymology: [OE. joyous, joious, joios, F. joyeux.See Joy.]
Glad; gay; merry; joyful; also, affording or inspiring joy; with of before the word or words expressing the cause of joy. Is this your joyous city Is. xxiii. 7. They all as glad as birds of joyous prime. Spenser. And joyous of our conquest early won. Dryden.
Syn. -- Merry; lively; blithe; gleeful; gay; glad; mirthful; sportive; festive; joyful; happy; blissful; charming; delightful. -- Joy"ous*ly, adv. -- Joy"ous*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for joyous; he lists it under airy, happy.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.