Webster
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Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Joke

Joke, n. [L. jocus. Cf Jeopardy, Jocular, Juggler.]

1. Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive (commonly indicating more of hilarity or humor than jest); a jest; a witticism; as, to crack good-natured jokes.

And gentle dullness ever loves a joke. Pope.

Or witty joke our airy senses moves To pleasant laughter. Gay.

2. Something not said seriously, or not actually meant; something done in sport.

Inclose whole downs in walls, 't is all a joke. Pope.

In joke, in jest; sportively; not meant seriously. — Practical joke. See under Practical.

Joke, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Joked; p. pr. & vb. n. Joking.] To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally; to banter; as, to joke a comrade.

Joke, v. i. [L. jocari.] To do something for sport, or as a joke; to be merry in words or actions; to jest.

He laughed, shouted, joked, and swore. Macaulay.

Syn. — To jest; sport; rally; banter. See Jest.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Noah Porter, editor (Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913). Public domain. Text as transcribed by MICRA, Inc., from Project Gutenberg. Changed for Deep Dive Bible: Greek, which our source spelled in Latin letters, set in Greek letters; entries of one spelling merged into one article; Greek words our source left out (shown as “?”), read from the 1898 printing, from the same plates (the Library of Congress’s copy), where the place could be found with certainty.