Definition

1. Noun:
   • Loud, convulsive, or unrestrained laughter: "Cachinnation" refers to a specific type of laughter that is extremely loud, boisterous, and often uncontrollable or hysterical. It implies a laughter that is more intense and raucous than ordinary laughing.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The comedian's joke was met with uproarious cachinnation from the entire audience.
  • Her nervous cachinnation echoed through the silent hall, drawing stares from everyone.
  • The sound of his cachinnation could be heard from the next room.

Advanced Usage

• "To break into cachinnation": to suddenly start laughing very loudly and uncontrollably.
  • Upon hearing the absurd excuse, she broke into uncontrollable cachinnation.
• Used in formal or literary contexts to describe laughter that is notably excessive, mocking, or bordering on hysterical.
  • The villain's cruel plan was accompanied by maniacal cachinnation.

Variants and Related Words

• Cachinnate (verb): To laugh loudly or convulsively.
  • He began to cachinnate at the memory of the embarrassing incident.
• Cachinnator (noun): A person who laughs in this loud, convulsive manner. (This is a very rare and formal word).

Synonyms

• Guffaw: A loud and boisterous laugh.
• Howl (of laughter): A loud, prolonged laugh.
• Roar (of laughter): A very loud, deep laugh.
• Hysterical laughter: Uncontrollable laughter, often from strong emotion.

Antonyms

• Chuckle: A quiet or suppressed laugh.
• Giggle: A light, silly, repeated laugh.
• Smirk: A smug, conceited, or silly smile.
• Sob: To cry noisily.

Notes on Meaning

• The word often carries a connotation of laughter that is excessive, perhaps even inappropriate or derisive. It is not typically used for gentle or happy laughter.
• It originates from the Latin , meaning "to laugh aloud."

Noun

1. loud convulsive laughter