Gaynesse

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A quality of being cheerful, lighthearted, and full of vigor ; a bright, colorful, or showy character in appearance or dress
2. The state of being merry and animated in manner and spirits ; a vivid or striking quality in colors, decorations, or presentation
3. Liveliness and good humor in demeanor ; a quality of being resplendent or conspicuously colorful in aesthetic presentation

Etymology: Before it described a sexual orientation, "gayness" meant showiness. In Middle English it referred to finery, bright dress, and festive display. The spelling "gaynesse" is an older variant of that noun, formed by adding the suffix "-ness" to the adjective "gay." The adjective reached English around the late 13th or early 14th century from Old French "gai," probably of Germanic origin, though the exact source is uncertain. Its early senses were "merry," "lively," and "richly decorated," and the noun followed those senses. The adjective's meaning shifted considerably over the following centuries, and by the 20th century it had acquired its modern sense, which the noun later took on as well.