from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Jest \Jest\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Jested}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Jesting}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. To take part in a merrymaking; -- especially, to act in a
mask or interlude. [Obs.] --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. To make merriment by words or actions; to joke; to make
light of anything.
[1913 Webster]
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." --Crabb.
[1913 Webster]