jest

English

/dʒɛst/

noun
Definitions
  • (archaic) An act performed for amusement; a joke.
  • (archaic) Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.
  • (obsolete) A deed; an action; a gest.
  • (obsolete) A mask; a pageant; an interlude.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English geste (tale, idle tale, guest) derived from Old French geste (acts, exploits) derived from Latin gesta (acts, deeds).

Origin

Latin

gesta

Gloss

acts, deeds

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms