Laugh — Defs

01 v. i. To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up…

imp. & p. p. Laughed; p. pr. & vb. n. Laughing

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.
Fig.: 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.

“No wit to flatter left of all his store, No fool to laugh at, which he valued more.” — Pope.

02 v. t. To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.

1.
To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
“Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy?” — Shak.

“I shall laugh myself to death.” — Shak.
2.
To express by, or utter with, laughter; -- with out.
“From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause.” — Shak.

Phrases & compounds

To laugh away — To drive away by laughter; as, to laugh away regret.

To laugh down — To cause to cease or desist by laughter; as, to laugh down a speaker.

To laugh one out of — to cause one by laughter or ridicule to abandon or give up; as, to laugh one out of a plan or purpose.

To laugh to scorn — to deride; to treat with mockery, contempt, and scorn; to despise.

03 n. An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, v. i.

1.
An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, v. i. 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.