Jested

1 definition found

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

  Jest \Jest\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Jested}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Jesting}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. To take part in a merrymaking; -- especially, to act in a
        mask or interlude. [Obs.] --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. To make merriment by words or actions; to joke; to make
        light of anything.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He jests at scars that never felt a wound. --Shak.
  
     Syn: To joke; sport; rally.
  
     Usage: To {Jest}, {Joke}. One jests in order to make others
            laugh; one jokes to please himself. A jest is usually
            at the expense of another, and is often ill-natured; a
            joke is a sportive sally designed to promote good
            humor without wounding the feelings of its object.
            "Jests are, therefore, seldom harmless; jokes
            frequently allowable. The most serious subject may be
            degraded by being turned into a jest." --Crabb.
            [1913 Webster]