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Definition of Laughter
1. Noun. The sound of laughing.
Generic synonyms: Utterance, Vocalization
Specialized synonyms: Cachinnation, Cackle, Chortle, Chuckle, Giggle, Belly Laugh, Guffaw, Ha-ha, Haw-haw, Hee-haw, Horselaugh, Snicker, Snigger, Snort, Titter
Derivative terms: Laugh
2. Noun. The activity of laughing; the manifestation of joy or mirth or scorn. "He enjoyed the laughter of the crowd"
Definition of Laughter
1. n. A movement (usually involuntary) of the muscles of the face, particularly of the lips, with a peculiar expression of the eyes, indicating merriment, satisfaction, or derision, and usually attended by a sonorous and interrupted expulsion of air from the lungs. See Laugh,
Definition of Laughter
1. Noun. The sound of laughing, produced by air so expelled; any similar sound. ¹
2. Noun. A movement (usually involuntary) of the muscles of the laughing face, particularly of the lips, and of the whole body, with a peculiar expression of the eyes, indicating merriment, satisfaction or derision, and usually attended by a sonorous and interrupted expulsion of air from the lungs. ¹
3. Noun. (archaic) A reason for merriment ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Laughter
1. the act or sound of one that laughs [n -S]
Medical Definition of Laughter
1. A movement (usually involuntary) of the muscles of the face, particularly of the lips, with a peculiar expression of the eyes, indicating merriment, satisfaction, or derision, and usually attended by a sonorous and interrupted expulsion of air from the lungs. See Laugh, "The act of laughter, which is a sweet contraction of the muscles of the face, and a pleasant agitation of the vocal organs, is not merely, or totally within the jurisdiction of ourselves." (Sir T. Browne) "Archly the maiden smiled, and with eyes overrunning with laughter." (Longfellow) Origin: AS. Hleahtor; akin to OHG. Hlahtar, G. Gelachter, Icel. Hlatr, Dan. Latter. See Laugh. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Laughter
Literary usage of Laughter
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. The Living Age by Making of America Project, Eliakim Littell, Robert S. Littell (1922)
"VERY FULL OF laughter IS THE OLD MAN BY LOUIS GOLDING [New Witness] VERY full of
laughter is the old man. The air is full of wings Of the little birds of ..."
2. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1919)
"From the coarse roar of an amused mob enjoying to the full the laughter induced
by suffering(!), we reach, after gradation upon gradation, the inner glow of ..."
3. The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin (1913)
"laughter primarily the expression of joy—Ludicrous ideas —Movements of the features
during laughter—Nature of the sound produced—The secretion of tears ..."
4. Psychological Review by American Psychological Association (1903)
"ON laughter.1 A friend of mine once spoke of Sully's writings as sane, ...
In this ' Essay on laughter,' however, the reader is fairly deluged and swamped ..."
5. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease by Philadelphia Neurological Society, American Neurological Association, Chicago Neurological Society, New York Neurological Association (1906)
"laughter is seen in some of the spasmodic manifestations of hemiplegia, lateral
sclerosis, bulbar lesions, etc.; in the exhibitions of imitative laughter ..."
6. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease by American Neurological Association, Philadelphia Neurological Society, Chicago Neurological Society, New York Neurological Association, Boston Society of Psychiatry and Neurology (1906)
"laughter is seen in some of the spasmodic manifestations of hemiplegia, lateral
sclerosis, bulbar lesions, etc.; in the exhibitions of imitative laughter ..."
7. European Theories of the Drama: An Anthology of Dramatic Theory and by Barrett Harper Clark (1918)
"But our comedians think there is no delight without laughter: which is very wrong,
for though laughter may come with delight, ..."
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