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Added 8 October 2026

jest

/d͡ʒɛst/ noun

In Latin: iocus Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about jest at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An act performed for amusement; a joke.
I made that comment in jest; it wasn't serious.
Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.
Your majesty, stop him before he makes you the jest of the court.
A deed; an action; a gest.

verb

To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.
Surely you jest!

adverb

Pronunciation spelling of just.

Origin

From Middle English geste (“idle tale”), from Old French geste (“acts, exploits”), from Latin gesta (“acts, deeds”). Doublet of gest.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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