Laugh

(läf), v. i. [imp. & p. p. LAUGHED (läft); p. pr. & vb. n. LAUGHING.] [O. Eng. lighe, lihe, A-S. hleahhan, hlihhan, O. Sax. hlahan, Goth. hlahyan, O. H. Ger. hlahhan, lahhan, lachên, N. H. Ger. lachen, D. lagchen, Icel. hläa, Dan. lee, Sw. le.]

1Sense 1. To have the countenance light up, or change, so as to express merriment; usually in connection with a chuckling sound of the voice, attended by an expulsion of air from the lungs and a shaking of the sides.

You saw my master wink and laugh upon you. Shak.

2Sense 2. To be gay; to appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, lively, or brilliant; to sport.

Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets crowned. Dryden.

In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy. Pope.

Laugh and lay down, an old game at cards, in which the winner laid down his cards upon the table and laughed, or was supposed to do so, at his good luck. Halliwell.—To laugh at, to ridicule; to treat with contempt. “No fool to laugh at, which he valued more.” Pope.—To laugh in the sleeve, to laugh secretly, or so as not to be observed, especially while apparently preserving a grave or serious demeanor toward the person or persons laughed at.—To laugh out of the other corner, or side, of the mouth, to weep or cry; to be made to feel regret, vexation, or disappointment, especially after exhibiting a boastful or exultant spirit.

v. t. 1. To express by laughing. The large Achilles on his pressed-bed lolling, From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause. Shak. 2. To ridicule or deride;—with out or down; as, to laugh one out of a plan. To laugh to scorn, to deride; to treat with mockery, contempt, and scorn; to despise.