jape
[ jeyp ]
verb (used without object),japed, jap·ing.
to jest; joke; gibe.
verb (used with object),japed, jap·ing.
to mock or make fun of.
noun
a joke; jest; quip.
a trick or practical joke.
Origin of jape
1First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English japen, perhaps from Old French jap(p)er “to bark,” of imitative origin
Other words from jape
- japer, noun
- jap·er·y, noun
- jap·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for jape
jape
/ (dʒeɪp) /
noun
a jest or joke
verb
to joke or jest (about)
Origin of jape
1C14: perhaps from Old French japper to bark, yap, of imitative origin
Derived forms of jape
- japer, noun
- japery, noun
- japingly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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