GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Laugh , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Laughed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Laughing.] [OE. laughen, laghen, lauhen, AS. hlehhan, hlihhan, hlyhhan, hliehhan; akin to OS. hlahan, D. & G. lachen, OHG. hlahhan, lahhan, lahhēn, Icel. hlæja,W Dan. lee, Sw. le, Goth. hlahjan; perh. of imitative origin.]
   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
   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
   
         
       

2.       
   Laughing , a. & n. from Laugh, v. i.
   1913 Webster
   Laughing falcon (Zool.), a South American hawk (Herpetotheres cachinnans); -- so called from its notes, which resemble a shrill laugh. -- Laughing gas (Chem.), nitrous oxide, also called hyponitrous oxide, or protoxide of nitrogen; -- so called from the exhilaration and laughing which it sometimes produces when inhaled.  It has been much used as an anaesthetic agent, though now its use is primarily in dentistry -- Laughing goose (Zool.), the European white-fronted goose. -- Laughing gull. (Zool.) (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 (Zool.), the spotted hyena. See Hyena. -- Laughing jackass (Zool.), the great brown kingfisher (Dacelo gigas), of Australia; -- called also giant kingfisher, and gogobera. -- Laughing owl (Zool.), a peculiar owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) of New Zealand, said to be on the verge of extinction. The name alludes to its notes.
   1913 Webster