Jest, v. i.  [imp. & p. p. Jested; p. pr. & vb. n. Jesting.]
 1.  To take part in a merrymaking; -- especially, to act in a mask or interlude. [Obs.]
 2.  To make merriment by words or actions; to joke; to make light of anything.
    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.”

 ◄ ►