\Laugh\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Laughed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Laughing}.] [OE. laughen, laghen, lauhen, AS. hlehhan,
hlihhan, hlyhhan, hliehhan; akin to OS. hlahan, D. & G.
lachen, OHG. hlahhan, lahhan, lahh?n, Icel. hl[ae]ja. Dan.
lee, Sw. le, Goth. hlahjan; perh. of imitative origin.]
1. To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar
   movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the
   mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and
   usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or
   chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in
   laughter.
         Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er. --Shak.
         He laugheth that winneth.             --Heywood's
                                               Prov.
2. Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful,
   lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.
         Then laughs the childish year, with flowerets
         crowned.                              --Dryden.
         In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble Joy. --Pope.
{To laugh at}, to make an object of laughter or ridicule; to
   make fun of; to deride.
         No wit to flatter left of all his store, No fool to
         laugh at, which he valued more.       --Pope.
{To laugh in the sleeve}

\Laugh\, v. t.
1. To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
         Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy?
                                               --Shak.
         I shall laugh myself to death.        --Shak.
2. To express by, or utter with, laughter; -- with out.
         From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause.
                                               --Shak.
{To laugh away}.
   (a) To drive away by laughter; as, to laugh away regret.
   (b) To waste in hilarity. ``Pompey doth this day laugh
       away his fortune.'' --Shak.
{To laugh down}.
   (a) To cause to cease or desist by laughter; as, to laugh
       down a speaker.
   (b) To cause to be given up on account of ridicule; as, to
       laugh down a reform.
{To laugh one out of}, to cause one by laughter or ridicule
   to abandon or give up; as, to laugh one out of a plan or
   purpose.
{To laugh to scorn}, to deride; to treat with mockery,
   contempt, and scorn; to despise.

\Laugh\, n.
An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the
sound heard in laughing; laughter. See {Laugh}, v. i.
      And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind.
                                               --Goldsmith.
      That man is a bad man who has not within him the power
      of a hearty laugh.                       --F. W.
                                               Robertson.