jest Hear it!

jest definition

jest (jest)

noun

  1. Obsolete a notable deed
  2. a mocking or bantering remark; jibe; taunt
  3. a joke; witticism
  4. a lighthearted action or mood; fun; joking
  5. 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

  1. to jeer; mock
  2. to be playful in speech and actions; joke

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

jest Synonyms

jest

n.

witticism, prank, quip; see joke 2.

in jest

jokingly, facetiously, in fun; see for fun at fun, humorously.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

jest Usage Examples

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.

Converse of object

  • do: No, not the breakdown people and yes I do jest.

Preposition: at

  • scar: He jests at scars that never felt a wound.

Adjective modifier

  • merry: Well, actually, yes; a merry jest from Dr. Zamenhof.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: You know that I am not jesting; I mean what I say.

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!
jest usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

jest quotes

   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.

-Beaumont, Francis

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.

-Donne,John

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.

-Dryden,John

jest quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"jest." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/jest>

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jest. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/jest

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