jape

[ jeyp ]

See synonyms for: jape japed japing japer on Thesaurus.com

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

First 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. 2023

How to use jape in a sentence

Thy japes are nought, thy tragics the mewing of cats; but thy news, fellow, thy news is too rich matter for thy sewer of a throat.
The Life and Death of Richard Yea-and-Nay | Maurice Hewlett
Richard, offended with Bertran, gave him a flick on the ear and sent him to the devil with his japes.
The Life and Death of Richard Yea-and-Nay | Maurice Hewlett
To us sober Britons, whatever our opinions, these latter japes appear more or less ribald, though they are quite innocently made.
Lost Leaders | Andrew Lang
The show is substantially new throughout—new songs, new scenery, new japes, new acrobatics.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 152, January 3, 1917 | Various
The Pardoner was so ready to tell some 'mirth or japes' that the more decent folks in the company try to repress him.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 5 (of 7) -- Notes to the Canterbury Tales | Geoffrey Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for jape

jape

/ (dʒeɪp) /

noun

a jest or joke

verb

to joke or jest (about)

Origin of jape

C14: 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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