japery

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

jape  ( jāp), v., japed, jap•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. to jest;
   joke;
   gibe.

v.t. 

2. to mock or make fun of.

n. 

3. a joke;
   jest;
   quip.
4. a trick or practical joke.

• Old French jap(p)er to bark, of imitative origin, originally
• Middle English japen, perh. 1300–50

jap′er, n. 
jap′er•y, n. 
jap′ing•ly, adv.