jest: Meaning and Definition of

jest

Pronunciation: ( jest), [key]
— n.
  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. an exploit. Cf. gest.
—v.i.
  1. to speak in a playful, humorous, or facetious way; joke.
  2. to speak or act in mere sport, rather than in earnest; trifle (often fol. by with): Please don't jest with me.
  3. to utter derisive speeches; gibe or scoff.
—v.t.
  1. to deride or joke at; banter.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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