jape Hear it!

jape Definition

jape (jāp)

intransitive verb japed, jap′·ing

  1. to joke; jest
  2. to play tricks

Etymology: ME japen < OFr japer, to howl, of echoic orig.

transitive verb

  1. to make fun of; mock
  2. to play tricks on; fool

noun

  1. a joke or jest
  2. a trick

jape Related Forms
jap′er noun jap′·ery noun pl. -·er·ies
jape Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • decade: Operational comments: We are talking jape of the decade.

Converse of object

  • talk: Operational comments: We are talking jape of the decade.

Adjective modifier

  • jolly: Now thats cleared up, i'm off around the world for jolly japes.
  • merry: This unemployed jester, who's nobody's fool, has paid for his merry jape, I send his tongue to you.
  • fannish: Ansible 160 ½ , " Fort Mudge Steam Calliope Company " -- an old fannish jape of Lee Hoffman's, referring to Pogo.
  • old: Ansible 160 ½ , " Fort Mudge Steam Calliope Company " -- an old fannish jape of Lee Hoffman's, referring to Pogo.
  • such: I just don't know how anyone finds the time for such japes.

Modifying Another Word

  • about: We jape about how grim it is and how all the streets look like the one from the Hovis ad.