[rid.i.cule] n [F or L; F, fr. L ridiculum jest] (1690): the act of exposing to laughter: derision, mockery
[2]ridicule vt -culed ; -cul.ing (ca. 1700): to make fun of -- rid.i.cul.er n syn ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object of laughter of. ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling "consistently ridiculed everything she said". deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule "derided their efforts to start their own business". mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference "youngsters began to mock the helpless wino". taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challege "hometown fans taunted the visiting team".