I. ˈjāp verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English japen, perhaps from Middle French japper to bark at, nag, of imitative origin
intransitive verb
1. : to say or do something jokingly or mockingly : play tricks : jeer
wondering why you jape at him
2. now chiefly dialect : to have sexual intercourse
transitive verb
: to make mocking fun of : gibe , taunt
japed the actors from the balcony
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English jape, from japen
: something designed to arouse amusement or laughter: as
a. : an amusing literary or dramatic production
a merry little jape that was cribbed from a 1940 movie — Time
b. : joke , gibe
volumes of quips, jests, japes, boners, sallies, and bright sayings — Lee Rogow
c. : a trick played in jest : practical joke
japes and feats of ingenious devilry — Thomas Wood †1950
Synonyms: see joke