Jest

Pronunciation

• enPR: jÄ•st, IPA: /dÊ’est/
• Rhymes: -É›st

Origin

From Middle English geste ("idle tale"), from Old French geste ("acts, exploits"), from Latin gesta ("acts, deeds")

Full definition of jest

Noun

1. (archaic) An act performed for amusement; a joke.
• SheridanThe Right Honourable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his facts.
2. (archaic) Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.Your majesty, stop him before he makes you the jest of the court.
• ShakespeareThen let me be your jest; I deserve it.
3. (obsolete) A deed; an action; a gest.
• Sir T. Elyotthe jests or actions of princes
4. (obsolete) A mask; a pageant; an interlude.
• KydHe promised us, in honour of our guest,
  To grace our banquet with some pompous jest.

Synonyms

• (joke) prank, gag, laughingstock, banter, crack, wisecrack, witticism

Verb

1. To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.Surely you jest!

Synonyms

• (to joke) banter, kid, mock, tease

Derived terms

• jester
• jestingly

Anagrams

• jets, Jets