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Jest vs Scoff - What's the difference?

jest | scoff |

Scoff is a synonym of jest.



As nouns the difference between jest and scoff

is that jest is an act performed for amusement; a joke while scoff is derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.

As verbs the difference between jest and scoff

is that jest is to tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone while scoff is to jeer; laugh at with contempt and derision.

jest

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (archaic) An act performed for amusement; a joke.
  • * Sheridan
    • The Right Honourable gentleman is indebted to his memory for his jests , and to his imagination for his facts.
  • (archaic) Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.
    • Your majesty, stop him before he makes you the jest of the court.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Then let me be your jest ; I deserve it.
  • (obsolete) A deed; an action; a gest.
  • * Sir T. Elyot
    • the jests or actions of princes
  • (obsolete) A mask; a pageant; an interlude.
    • (Nares)
  • * Kyd
    • He promised us, in honour of our guest, / To grace our banquet with some pompous jest .

    Synonyms

    * (joke) prank, gag, laughingstock, banter, crack, wisecrack, witticism * See also

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.
    • Surely you jest !

    Synonyms

    * (to joke) banter, kid, mock, tease

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l)

    See also

    * (wikipedia "jest")

    Anagrams

    * ----

    scoff

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) scof/skof, of Scandinavian origin. Compare (etyl) skaup, Danish skuffelse(noun)/skuffe(verb) and Old High German scoph.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach.
  • * Shakespeare
    • With scoffs , and scorns, and contumelious taunts.
  • * 1852 , The Dublin University Magazine (page 66)
    • There were sneers, and scoffs , and inuendoes of some; prophecies of failure in a hundred ways
  • An object of scorn, mockery, or derision.
  • * Cowper
    • The scoff of withered age and beardless youth.
    Synonyms
    * derision, ridicule * See also

    Verb

  • To jeer; laugh at with contempt and derision.
  • * Goldsmith
    • Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, / And fools who came to scoff , remained to pray.
    Synonyms
    * contemn, deride, sneer

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (South Africa) Food.

    • Verb

  • (British) To eat food quickly.
  • (South Africa) To eat.
    • Synonyms
    * (eat quickly) (l), (l) (US)

    See also

    * scuff