Laugh
[lɑːf] or [læf]
Definition
(noun.) a facial expression characteristic of a person laughing; 'his face wrinkled in a silent laugh of derision'.
(noun.) the sound of laughing.
(verb.) produce laughter.
Typed by Erica--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter.
(v. i.) Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.
(v. t.) To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
(v. t.) To express by, or utter with, laughter; -- with out.
(n.) An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, v. i.
Checked by Fern
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Laughter, CACHINNATION, GUFFAW, ROAR.
v. n. Snicker, GIGGLE, ROAR, TITTER.
Editor: Matt
Definition
v.t. to express with a laugh: to affect in some way by laughter.—n. the sound caused by merriment.—adj. Laugh′able ludicrous.—n. Laugh′ableness.—adv. Laugh′ably.—ns. Laugh′er; Laugh′ing-gas a gas which excites laughter called nitrous oxide used as an anéŽ thetic in minor surgical operations as in dentistry; Laugh′ing-jack′ass the great kingfisher of Australia.—adv. Laugh′ingly in a laughing manner.—ns. Laugh′ing-stock an object of ridicule like something stuck up to be laughed at; Laugh′ter act or noise of laughing.—Laugh a thing off to treat as if worthy only of a laugh; Laugh in one's sleeve to laugh inwardly; Laugh one out of to make a person abandon a habit &c. by laughing at him for it; Laugh on the wrong side of the mouth to be made feel disappointment or sorrow esp. after boasting &c.; Laugh to scorn to deride or jeer at.—Have the laugh on one's side to be able to laugh at another through getting the better of him by superior dexterity &c.
Editor: Milton
Unserious Contents or Definition
A peculiar contortion of the human countenance, voluntary or involuntary, superinduced by a concatenation of external circumstances, seen or heard, of a ridiculous, ludicrous, jocose, mirthful, funny, facetious or fanciful nature and accompanied by a cackle, chuckle, chortle, cachinnation, giggle gurgle, guffaw or roar.
Editor: Will
Examples
- She indulged in a little laugh. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Selden, with a slight laugh, sat down beside her on the little sofa which projected from the hearth. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Well, I understand Lily is about to assume them in the shape of Mr. Rosedale, Mrs. Fisher said with a laugh. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Lord Steyne, and her son in London, had many a laugh over the story when Rawdon and his wife returned to their quarters in May Fair. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Beth's bundle was such a funny one that everybody wanted to laugh, but nobody did, for it would have hurt her feelings very much. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Archer burst into a laugh, and May echoed it, crimson to the eyes. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Well, there is something in that, said the Rector, with his quiet, inward laugh. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- She laughed, and the Major did too, at his droll figure on donkey-back, with his long legs touching the ground. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Meantime the whole hall was in a stir; most people rose and remained standing, for a change; some walked about, all talked and laughed. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- I laughed at the accident. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- He laughed heartily at my feeble portrait of that gentleman, and said he was a man to know, and he must know him. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Rawdon laughed out with his usual roar. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- He laughed at Mistress Affery's start and cry; and as he laughed, his moustache went up under his nose, and his nose came down over his moustache. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- He kissed her, and laughed. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- No, she said softly, laughing at his sudden quickness. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Very well, mother, he was, if you like,' said Wardle laughing. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- But, much too soon, we heard the others laughing and talking, and calling 'where's Dora? Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The three drivers were laughing. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- Amy's definition of Jo's idea of independence was such a good hit that both burst out laughing, and the discussion took a more amiable turn. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- He was laughing too. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- But his spirits were soon rising again, and with laughing eyes, after mentioning the expected return of the Campbells, he named the name of Dixon. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Jo laughs again. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Jo laughs with pleasure. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She laughs at them when they question her. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- She laughs and sobs, and then is quiet, and quite happy. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- He laughs and beams, and looks as innocent as you like, and says, 'But I don't know the value of these things. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Mrs. Chadband merely laughs and contemptuously tells him he can offer twenty pence. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She always laughs at him; and he is not likely to think of her in any other than a brotherly way. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
Editor: Percival