2. By good fortune; fortunately; luckily. Preferred by conquest, happily o'erthrown. Waller.
3. In a happy manner or state; in happy circumstances; as, he lived happily with his wife.
4. With address or dexterity; gracefully; felicitously; in a manner to success; with success. Formed by thy converse, happily to steer From grave to gay, from lively to severe. Pope.
Syn. — Fortunately; luckily; successfully; prosperously; contentedly; dexterously; felicitously.
HAPPINESS
Hap"pi*ness, n. Etym: [From Happy.]
1. Good luck; good fortune; prosperity. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan! Shak.
2. An agreeable feeling or condition of the soul arising from good fortune or propitious happening of any kind; the possession of those circumstances or that state of being which is attended enjoyment; the state of being happy; contentment; joyful satisfaction; felicity; blessedness.
3. Fortuitous elegance; unstudied grace; — used especially of language. Some beauties yet no precepts can declare, For there's a happiness, as well as care. Pope.
Syn. — Happiness, Felicity, Blessedness, Bliss. Happiness is generic, and is applied to almost every kind of enjoyment except that of the animal appetites; felicity is a more formal word, and is used more sparingly in the same general sense, but with elevated associations; blessedness is applied to the most refined enjoyment arising from the purest social, benevolent, and religious affections; bliss denotes still more exalted delight, and is applied more appropriately to the joy anticipated in heaven. O happiness! our being's end and aim! Pope. Others in virtue place felicity, But virtue joined with riches and long life; In corporal pleasures he, and careless ease. Milton. His overthrow heaped happiness upon him; For then, and not till then, he felt himself, And found the blessedness of being little. Shak.
HAPPY Hap"py, a. [Compar. Happier; superl. Happiest.] Etym: [From Hap chance.]