Cachinnation

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Cachinnation \Cach`in*na"tion\ (k[a^]k`[i^]n*n[=a]"sh[u^]n), n.
     [L. cachinnatio, fr. cachinnare to laugh aloud, cf. Gr.
     kacha`zein.]
     Loud or immoderate laughter; -- often a symptom of hysterical
     or maniacal affections.
     [1913 Webster]


  
           Hideous grimaces . . . attended this unusual
           cachinnation.                            --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  cachinnation
       n : loud convulsive laughter