 |
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Laugh \Laugh\ (l[aum]f), verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Laughed} (l[aum]ft); p. pr. & vb. n. {Laughing}.] [OE. laughen, laghen, lauhen, AS. hlehhan, hlihhan, hlyhhan, hliehhan; akin to OS. hlahan, D. & G. lachen, OHG. hlahhan, lahhan, lahh[=e]n, Icel. hl[ae]ja,W Dan. lee, Sw. le, Goth. hlahjan; perh. of imitative origin.]
1. 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.
Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er. --Shak.
He laugheth that winneth. --Heywood's Prov.
2. Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.
Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets crowned. --Dryden.
In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy. --Pope.
{To laugh at}, to make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride.
No wit to flatter left of all his store, No fool to laugh at, which he valued more. --Pope.
{To laugh in the sleeve}, {To laugh up one's 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}, to laugh in spite of some restraining influence; to laugh aloud.
{To laugh out of the other corner of the mouth} or {To laugh out of the other side of the mouth}, to weep or cry; to feel regret, vexation, or disappointment after hilarity or exaltation. [Slang]
 |
Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |