Laughing

Laughing
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. [1913 Webster]

Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

He laugheth that winneth. --Heywood's Prov. [1913 Webster]

2. Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport. [1913 Webster]

Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets crowned. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

{To laugh at}, to make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride. [1913 Webster]

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] [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Laughing — Laugh ing, a. & n. from {Laugh}, v. i. [1913 Webster] {Laughing falcon} (Zo[ o]l.), a South American hawk ({Herpetotheres cachinnans}); so called from its notes, which resemble a shrill laugh. {Laughing gas} (Chem.), hyponitrous oxide, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • laughing — (n.) mid 14c., verbal noun from LAUGH (Cf. laugh) (v.). Laughing matter (usually with negative) is from 1560s. Nitrous oxide has been called laughing gas since 1842 (for its exhilarating effects). Davy, experimenting with the gas, discovered… …   Etymology dictionary

  • laughing — [laf′iŋ] adj. 1. that laughs or appears to laugh [a laughing brook] 2. uttered with laughter [a laughing remark] n. laughter laughingly adv …   English World dictionary

  • laughing — index jocular Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • laughing — n. & adj. n. laughter. adj. in senses of LAUGH v. Phrases and idioms: laughing gas nitrous oxide as an anaesthetic, formerly used without oxygen and causing an exhilarating effect when inhaled. laughing hyena see HYENA. laughing jackass =… …   Useful english dictionary

  • laughing — laughingly, adv. /laf ing, lah fing/, adj. 1. that laughs or is given to laughter: a laughing child. 2. uttering sounds like human laughter, as some birds. 3. suggesting laughter by brightness, color, sound, etc.: a laughing stream; laughing… …   Universalium

  • Laughing EP — Infobox Album Name = Laughing Type = EP Artist = Anne McCue Background = orange Released = 1996 Recorded = Genre = alternative country Length = Label = Producer = Laurence Maddy and Anne McCue Reviews = Last album = This album = Next album =… …   Wikipedia

  • laughing — /ˈlafɪŋ/ (say lahfing) noun 1. laughter. –adjective 2. that laughs; giving vent to laughter, as persons. –phrase 3. be laughing, Colloquial to be in an extremely advantageous situation: if I won the contract I d be laughing. 4. no laughing matter …  

  • laughing — adj. Laughing is used with these nouns: ↑fit, ↑gas …   Collocations dictionary

  • Laughing — being in a favourable or fortunate position: One more result like that and you ll be laughing …   Dictionary of Australian slang

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