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jest

 - 2 dictionary results

jest

  [jest]
Use jest in a Sentence
–noun
1. a joke or witty remark; witticism.
2. a bantering remark; a piece of good-natured ridicule; taunt.
3. sport or fun: to speak half in jest, half in earnest.
4. the object of laughter, sport, or mockery; laughing-stock.
5. Obsolete. an exploit. Compare gest.
–verb (used without object)
6. to speak in a playful, humorous, or facetious way; joke.
7. to speak or act in mere sport, rather than in earnest; trifle (often fol. by with): Please don't jest with me.
8. to utter derisive speeches; gibe or scoff.
–verb (used with object)
9. to deride or joke at; banter.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME; var. sp. of gest

Related forms:
jestful, adjective
jest⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. quip. See joke. 2. jape, gibe. 4. butt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To jest
jest   (jěst)   
n.  

  1. A playful or amusing act; a prank. See Synonyms at joke.

  2. A frolicsome or frivolous mood: spoken in jest.

  3. An object of ridicule; a laughingstock.

  4. A witty remark.

v.   jest·ed, jest·ing, jests

v.   intr.

  1. To act or speak playfully.

  2. To make witty remarks.

  3. To utter scoffs; gibe.

v.   tr.
To make fun of; ridicule.

[Middle English geste, tale, from Old French, from Latin gesta, deeds, from neuter pl. past participle of gerere, to perform.]
jest'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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