Main Entry: jest

Pronunciation: \ˈjest\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English geste idle tale, story in verse, from Anglo-French, deed, action, narrative, from Latin gesta deeds, from neuter plural of gestus, past participle of gerere to bear, wage

Date: circa 1548

1 : an utterance (as a jeer or quip) intended to be taken as mockery or humor
2 a : prank b : a ludicrous circumstance or incident
3 a : a frivolous mood or manner <spoken in jest> b : gaiety and merriment
4 : laughingstock

synonyms see fun

— jest verb