jest-book
Noun: A jest-book is a printed collection of humorous stories, jokes, or witty anecdotes, often compiled for entertainment. (Note: This word is not commonly used in modern English; it is largely historical or literary.)
- (A book of jokes used for entertainment.)
- (A historical collection of humorous tales.)
"to consult a jest-book": to refer to a source of jokes or amusing stories.
- The comedian consulted his jest-book before the performance. (He looked at his collection of jokes for material.)
"a jest-book of wit": a figurative phrase meaning a person or thing that is a source of humour.
- Her anecdotes were a jest-book of wit and charm. (Her stories were consistently amusing.)
Jest (n): a joke or witty remark.
- He made a jest about the weather. (He told a funny comment.)
Jester (n): a professional fool or clown in medieval courts who told jokes and performed.
- The jester entertained the court with his jest-book. (The fool used his collection of jokes.)
Jestingly (adv): in a joking manner.
- She spoke jestingly about her mistake. (She joked about it.)
- Joke book: a collection of jokes (more modern term).
- Comic anthology: a compiled volume of humorous pieces.
- Book of wit: a formal term for a collection of clever remarks.
"A jest-book of life": a poetic phrase meaning life itself is a source of humour or irony.
- He saw his misfortunes as a jest-book of life. (He viewed his troubles with amusement.)
"To open one's jest-book": to begin telling jokes or being humorous.
- At the party, he opened his jest-book and had everyone laughing. (He started telling jokes.)
The word jest-book is archaic and rarely used in contemporary English. Modern equivalents include joke book, humor anthology, or comic collection. It appears mainly in historical contexts, such as descriptions of medieval or Renaissance literature.