| laugh | An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, "And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind." (Goldsmith) "That man is a bad man who has not within him the power of a hearty laugh." (F. W. Robertson) 1. 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. "Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er." (Shak) "He laugheth that winneth." (Heywood's Prov) 2. To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport. "Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets crowned." (Dryden) "In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy." (Pope) To laugh at, to make an object of laughter or ridicule; to make fun of; to deride. "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 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 (or side) of the mouth, to weep or cry; to feel regret, vexation, or disappointment after hilarity or exaltation. Origin: OE. Laughen, laghen, lauhen, AS. Hlehhan, hlihhan, hlyhhan, hliehhan; akin to OS. Hlahan, D. & G.lachen, OHG. Hlahhan, lahhan, lahhn, Icel. Hlaeja. Dan. Lee, Sw. Le, Goth. Hlahjan; perh. Of imitative origin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| laughing | <chemistry> From Laugh, Laughing falcon, a peculiar owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) of New Zealand, said to be on the verge of extinction. The name alludes to its notes. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| laughing disease | A disabling state of hypnosis or narcosis induced by witch doctors and characterised by involuntary laughing, the compulsive mirthless laughter of schizophrenics. (05 Mar 2000) |
| laughing gas | A historical term for nitrous oxide. Origin: so called because its inhalation sometimes excites a hilarious delirium preceding insensibility (05 Mar 2000) |
| laughing sickness | See: pseudobulbar paralysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| laughter | A movement (usually involuntary) of the muscles of the face, particularly of the lips, with a peculiar expression of the eyes, indicating merriment, satisfaction, or derision, and usually attended by a sonorous and interrupted expulsion of air from the lungs. See Laugh, "The act of laughter, which is a sweet contraction of the muscles of the face, and a pleasant agitation of the vocal organs, is not merely, or totally within the jurisdiction of ourselves." (Sir T. Browne) "Archly the maiden smiled, and with eyes overrunning with laughter." (Longfellow) Origin: AS. Hleahtor; akin to OHG. Hlahtar, G. Gelachter, Icel. Hlatr, Dan. Latter. See Laugh. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| laughter reflex | Uncontrollable laughter excited by tickling. (05 Mar 2000) |