jest 
jest (jest)
noun
- Obsolete a notable deed
- a mocking or bantering remark; jibe; taunt
- a joke; witticism
- a lighthearted action or mood; fun; joking
- something to be laughed at or joked about
Etymology: ME geste < OFr, an exploit, tale of exploits < L gesta, neut. pl. pp. of gerere, to perform, carry out
intransitive verb
- to jeer; mock
- to be playful in speech and actions; joke
jest
n.
in jest
Preposition: about
- contrast: There are continual jests about the contrast between this Ulsterman's austerity and the conviviality of Colonel Clancy.
Object
- matter: This is no jesting matter; revolution is a serious business to know whom to shoot, and in accordance with which chapter.
- word: And Mephistopheles has the last jesting word of the scene.
Converse of object
- do: No, not the breakdown people and yes I do jest.
- make: The father, making jest at himself, asked where I knew this from; I explained that it was high school.
- hear: SIMON I hope Your grace will hear the jest afore you go.
- have: The Company Law Reform Bill has jest been published at the time of writing.
Preposition: at
- scar: He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
Adjective modifier
- merry: Well, actually, yes; a merry jest from Dr. Zamenhof.
- good: Even tho it's content may hinder on the offensive and vulgar in some parts, its all in good jest and absolutely hilarious.
- infinite: But then this was a fellow of " excellent fancy " as well as " infinite jest.
- witty: Their serious thought or witty jest Will burst my little bubble.
- cruel: If there is not some compensation hereafter, then the world is a cruel jest.
- friendly: Mostly, as in this case, it's in friendly jest and goes no further.
Modifying Another Word
- not: You know that I am not jesting; I mean what I say.
- half: He half jested Give me half a tanker of iron, and I will give you the next ice age.
- even: As he went, he spoke and even jested with the Samoans, and they answered in good part.
Noun used with modifier
- standing: It has been a standing jest in the family that nothing could ever wake me during the night.
Preposition: of
- course: At one point an armed guard was called in to protect the Quizmistress ( I jest of course!
Created half to rise, and half to fall; Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled; The glory, jest, and riddle of the world!
Nice philosophy May tolerate unlikelyarguments, But heaven admits no jest.
In squandering wealth was his peculiar art: Nothing went unrewarded, but desert. Beggared by fools, whom still he found too late: He had his jest, and they had his estate.
Love taught me that your honour did but jest.
Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; but now I know it.
What is our life? a play of passion; Our mirth the music of division; Our mothers' wombs the tiring-houses be Where we are dressed for this short comedy. Heaven the judicious sharp spectator is, That sits and marks still who doth act amiss; Our graves that hide us from the searching sun Are like drawn curtains when the play is done. Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest, Only we die in earnestöthat's no jest.
Sweetest love I do not go, For weariness of thee, Nor in hope the world can show A fitter Love for me; But since that I Must die at last,'tis best, To use myself in jest Thus by feigned deaths to die.
Imyself haveheard averygood jest, and havescornedto seem to have so sillya wit as to understand it.
What things have we seen, Done at the Mermaid! heard words that have been So nimble, and so full of subtil flame, As if that every one from whence they came, Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest, And had resolv'd to live a fool, the rest Of his dull life.
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