"Mr. Nicholas looked like a genial cherub, clapping his hands and laughing in delight as he watched young tap-dancers perform in tribute to him and his brother, Harold, who died in July. He seemed particularly taken with Sergey and Vasily, a Russian tap duo who performed a number based on the Nicholas Brothers' 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' dance from the film 'Sun Valley Serenade'."
From "Honoring the Nicholas Brothers" on January 15th 2001. (NEW YORK TIMES)
The word genial has appeared in 269 Times articles during the year 2000.
Did you know?
INTERESTING NOTE:
Actually, today you couldn't lose. I have been both tricky and kind. ALL of the three definitions given above (a), (b) and (c) are in some sense correct. It's just that meaning (b) being much more commonly used, is more correct than (a) or (c)!
Take a peek at Merriam-Webster:
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin genialis, from genius
Date: 1566
1 obsolete : of or relating to marriage or generation
2 obsolete : inborn, native
3 a : favorable to growth or comfort : mild b : marked by or diffusing sympathy or friendliness