Jest \Jest\ (j[e^]st), n. [OE. jeste, geste, deed, action,

           story, tale, OF. geste, LL. gesta, orig., exploits, neut.
         pl.
   from L. gestus, p. p. of gerere to bear, carry,
         accomplish,
   perform; perh. orig., to make to come,
         bring, and perh. akin
   to E. come. Cf. Gest a deed, Register, n.]

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   1. A deed; an action; a gest. [Obs.]
 
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            The jests or actions of princes.      --Sir T.
                                                  Elyot.
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         Webster]

   2. A mask; a pageant; an interlude. [Obs.]
         --Nares.
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            He promised us, in honor of our guest,
            To grace our banquet with some pompous jest. --Kyd.
    
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   3. Something done or said in order to
         amuse; a joke; a
      witticism; a jocose or sportive
         remark or phrase. See
      Synonyms under Jest, v. i.
 
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            I must be sad . . . smile at no man's jests. --Shak.
   
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            The Right Honorable gentleman is indebted to his
            memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his
            facts.                                --Sheridan.
     
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   4. The object of laughter or sport; a
         laughingstock.
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            Then let me be your jest; I deserve it. --Shak.
     
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   In
         jest, for mere sport or diversion;
         not in truth and
      reality; not in earnest.
     
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            And given in earnest what I begged in jest. --Shak.

  
         Jest book, a book
         containing a collection of jests,
         jokes,
      and amusing anecdotes; a Joe Miller.
     
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