Jest /(jĕst)/

1. A deed; an action; a gest. [Obs.]

   The jests or actions of princes.

2. A mask; a pageant; an interlude. [Obs.]

   He promised us, in honor of our guest, To grace our banquet with some pompous jest.

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.

   I must be sad . . . smile at no man's jests.

   The Right Honorable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his facts.

4. The object of laughter or sport; a laughingstock.

   Then let me be your jest; I deserve it.

   And given in earnest what I begged in jest.

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.