laugh
    n 1: the sound of laughing [syn: laugh, laughter]
    2: a facial expression characteristic of a person laughing; "his
       face wrinkled in a silent laugh of derision"
    3: a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter;
       "he told a very funny joke"; "he knows a million gags";
       "thanks for the laugh"; "he laughed unpleasantly at his own
       jest"; "even a schoolboy's jape is supposed to have some
       ascertainable point" [syn: joke, gag, laugh, jest,
       jape]
    v 1: produce laughter [syn: laugh, express joy, express
         mirth] [ant: cry, weep]

Laugh \Laugh\ (l[aum]f), v. i. [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.
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            Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er. --Shak.
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            He laugheth that winneth.             --Heywood's
                                                  Prov.
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   2. Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful,
      lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.
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            Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets
            crowned.                              --Dryden.
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            In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy. --Pope.
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   To laugh at, to make an object of laughter or ridicule; to
      make fun of; to deride.
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            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]
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Laugh \Laugh\, n.
   An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the
   sound heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, v. i.
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         And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind.
                                                  --Goldsmith.
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         That man is a bad man who has not within him the power
         of a hearty laugh.                       --F. W.
                                                  Robertson.
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Laugh \Laugh\, v. t.
   1. To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
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            Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy?
                                                  --Shak.
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            I shall laugh myself to death.        --Shak.
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   2. To express by, or utter with, laughter; -- with out.
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            From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause.
                                                  --Shak.
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   To laugh away.
      (a) To drive away by laughter; as, to laugh away regret.
      (b) To waste in hilarity. "Pompey doth this day laugh away
          his fortune." --Shak.

   To laugh down.
      (a) To cause to cease or desist by laughter; as, to laugh
          down a speaker.
      (b) To cause to be given up on account of ridicule; as, to
          laugh down a reform.

   To laugh one out of, to cause one by laughter or ridicule
      to abandon or give up; as, to laugh one out of a plan or
      purpose.

   To laugh to scorn, to deride; to treat with mockery,
      contempt, and scorn; to despise.
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