LAUGHINGS
Noun
laughings
plural of laughing
Source: Wiktionary
LAUGHING
Laugh"ing, a. & n.
Definition: from Laugh, v. i. Laughing falcon (Zoöl.), a South American
hawk (Herpetotheres cachinnans); -- so called from its notes, which
resemble a shrill laughing.
– Laughing gas (Chem.), hyponitrous oxide, or protoxide of
nitrogen; -- so called from the exhilaration and laughing which it
sometimes produces when inhaled. It is much used as an anæsthetic
agent.
– Laughing goose (Zoöl.), the European white-fronted goose.
– Laughing gull. (Zoöl.) (a) A common European gull (Xema
ridibundus); -- called also pewit, black cap, red-legged gull, and
sea crow. (b) An American gull (Larus atricilla). In summer the head
is nearly black, the back slate color, and the five outer primaries
black.
– Laughing hyena (Zoöl.), the spotted hyena. See Hyena.
– Laughing jackass (Zoöl.), the great brown kingfisher (Dacelo
gigas), of Australia; -- called also giant kingfisher, and gogobera.
– Laughing owl (Zoöl.), a peculiar owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) of
New Zealand, said to be on the verge of extinction. The name alludes
to its notes.
LAUGH
Laugh, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Laughed; p. pr. & vb. n. Laughing.] Etym:
[OE. laughen, laghen, lauhen, AS. hlehhan, hlihhan, hlyhhan,
hliehhan; akin to OS. hlahan, D. & G.lachen, OHG. hlahhan, lahhan,
lahh, Icel. hlæja. 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 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 (or side) of the mouth, to weep
or cry; to feel regret, vexation, or disappointment after hilarity or
exaltation. [Slang]
Laugh, v. t.
1. To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy Shak.
I shall laugh myself to death. Shak.
2. To express by, or utter with, laughter; -- with out.
From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause. Shak.
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.
Laugh, n.
Definition: An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound
heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, v. i.
And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind. Goldsmith.
That man is a bad man who has not within him the power of a hearty
laugh. F. W. Robertson.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition