Banter /(băn"tẽr)/

imp. & p. p. Bantered; p. pr. & vb. n. Bantering

1. To address playful good-natured ridicule to, -- the person addressed, or something pertaining to him, being the subject of the jesting; to rally; as, he bantered me about my credulity.

   Hag-ridden by my own fancy all night, and then bantered on my haggard looks the next day.

2. To jest about; to ridicule in speaking of, as some trait, habit, characteristic, and the like. [Archaic]

   If they banter your regularity, order, and love of study, banter in return their neglect of them.

3. To delude or trick, -- esp. by way of jest. [Obs.]

   We diverted ourselves with bantering several poor scholars with hopes of being at least his lordship's chaplain.

4. To challenge or defy to a match. [Colloq. Southern and Western U. S.]

1. The act of bantering; joking or jesting; humorous or good-humored raillery; pleasantry.

   Part banter, part affection.