jest book

1 definition found

jest book - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Jest \Jest\ (j[e^]st), n. [OE. jeste, geste, deed, action,
     story, tale, OF. geste, LL. gesta, orig., exploits, neut. pl.
     from L. gestus, p. p. of gerere to bear, carry, accomplish,
     perform; perh. orig., to make to come, bring, and perh. akin
     to E. come. Cf. Gest a deed, Register, n.]
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     1. A deed; an action; a gest. [Obs.]
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              The jests or actions of princes.      --Sir T.
                                                    Elyot.
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     2. A mask; a pageant; an interlude. [Obs.] --Nares.
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              He promised us, in honor of our guest,
              To grace our banquet with some pompous jest. --Kyd.
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     3. Something done or said in order to amuse; a joke; a
        witticism; a jocose or sportive remark or phrase. See
        Synonyms under Jest, v. i.
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              I must be sad . . . smile at no man's jests. --Shak.
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              The Right Honorable gentleman is indebted to his
              memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his
              facts.                                --Sheridan.
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     4. The object of laughter or sport; a laughingstock.
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              Then let me be your jest; I deserve it. --Shak.
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     In jest, for mere sport or diversion; not in truth and
        reality; not in earnest.
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              And given in earnest what I begged in jest. --Shak.
  
     Jest book, a book containing a collection of jests, jokes,
        and amusing anecdotes; a Joe Miller.
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