Word Direct Answers

What does "banter" mean?

Banter: To jest about; to ridicule in speaking of, as some trait, habit, characteristic, and the like. [Archaic] If they banter your regularity, order, and love of study, banter in return their neglect of them. Chatham.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To delude or trick, -- esp. by way of jest. [Obs.] We diverted ourselves with bantering several poor scholars with hopes of being at least his lordship's chaplain. De Foe.
  2. 3.To challenge or defy to a match. [Colloq. Southern and Western U.S.]
  3. 4.The act of bantering; joking or jesting; humorous or good- humored raillery; pleasantry. Part banter, part affection. Tennyson.

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