JEST (2)

jest (2). Jest, n. any thing ludicrous, a joke, a laughing stock

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Jest, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Jested; p. pr. & vb. n. Jesting.] 1. 1. To take part in a merrymaking; — especially, to act in a mask or interlude. Shak.
2. 2. To make merriment by words or actions; to joke; to make light of anything.
He jests at scars that never felt a wound. Shak. Syn. — To joke; sport; rally. — To Jest, Joke. One jests in order to make others laugh; one jokes to please himself. A jest is usually at the expense of another, and is often ill-natured; a joke is a sportive sally designed to promote good humor without wounding the feelings of its object. “Jests are, therefore, seldom harmless; jokes frequently allowable. The most serious subject may be degraded by being turned into a jest.” Crabb.