Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Gay

Gay (gā) , adjective

[French gai, perhaps from Old High German g{not transcribed}hi swift, rapid, German gah, jah, steep, hasty; or compare Old High German w{not transcribed}hi beatiful, good. Compare Jay.]

1.
Excited with merriment; manifesting sportiveness or delight; inspiring delight; livery; merry.
Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay. — Pope
Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed. — Gray
2.
Brilliant in colors; splendid; fine; richly dressed.
Why is my neighbor's wife so gay? — Chaucer
A bevy of fair women, richly gay In gems and wanton dress! — Milton
3.
Loose; dissipated; lewd. [Colloquial]

Gay , noun

An ornament [Obsolete] — L'Estrange