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Witty vs Jest - What's the difference?

witty | jest | Related terms |

In obsolete terms the difference between witty and jest

is that witty is wise, having good judgement while jest is a mask; a pageant; an interlude.

In archaic terms the difference between witty and jest

is that witty is possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious while jest is someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.

As an adjective witty

is wise, having good judgement.

As a noun jest is

an act performed for amusement; a joke.

As a verb jest is

to tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.

witty

English

Adjective

(er)
  • (label) Wise, having good judgement.
  • *, Bk.VIII, Ch.viij:
  • *:Then cam there a lady that was a wytty lady, and she seyde playnly unto the Kyngthat he sholde never be hole but yf that Sir Trystrames wente into the same contrey than the venym came fro, and in that contrey sholde he be holpyn, other ellys never.
  • (label) Possessing a strong intellect or intellectual capacity; intelligent, skilful, ingenious.
  • *, II.7:
  • *:It hath beene a witty invention.
  • Clever; amusingly ingenious.
  • :
  • Full of wit.
  • :
  • Quick of mind; insightful; in possession of wits.
  • :

    • Synonyms

    * facetious * humorous * jocose * jocular * quick * See also

    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

    * ----