jest
/dʒest; dʒɛst/ n
1 thing said or done to cause amusement; joke 玩笑; 笑话.
2 (idm 习语) in jest in fun; not seriously 开玩笑地; 不严肃地
His reply was taken half seriously, half in jest. 他的答覆看来是半开玩笑半认真的.
(saying 谚) Many a true word is spoken in jest. 玩笑话里有许多是真话. jest, v [I, Ipr]
~ (with sb) (about sth) make jokes (to sb) (about sth); speak or act without seriousness （跟某人）（以某事）开玩笑; 以不严肃的态度说话或做事
Stop jesting and be serious for a moment! 别开玩笑了, 严肃一会儿吧!
Don't jest about such important matters! 这麽重要的事情可不要当儿戏! jester n (formerly) man whose job was to make jokes to amuse a court or noble household （旧时）（宫廷或贵族豢养的）弄臣, 小丑
the court/king's/queen's jester 宫廷的[国王的/王后的]弄臣.