† ˈjest-ˈearnest Obs.
In phr. in jest-earnest: in earnest under colour of jesting.
| 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. v. ii. 362 Such blows in jest-earnest are most dangerous. 1660 ― Mixt Contempl. (1841) 200 Hereupon one in jest-earnest said, that formerly they put down bishops and deans, and now they had put down chapters too. |