Definition of jest
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a joking or mocking remark
a clever jest
2a : prank
b : a ludicrous circumstance or incident
a proper jest, and never heard before, that Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth for costs and charges— William Shakespeare
3a : a frivolous mood or manner
—usually used with inspoken in jest
b : gaiety and merriment
I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of excellent fancy— William Shakespeare
4 : laughingstock
jest
verbjested; jesting
Definition of jest (Entry 2 of 2)
formal, dated
: to make jokes or jests : to say things intended to be humorous
"What's it like to design a building and have an apartment in it and have your name on it?" the architect asks, jesting, with his typically irrepressible energy. "It's like a hat trick."— Philip Nobel You voted for him? Surely you jest. [=you must be joking]
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Time Traveler for jest
The first known use of jest was circa 1548
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