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.”
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