Emily Dickinson Lexicon

JOKE, n. [L. jocus; Dan. giek, a joke; giekker, to joke; Sw. gäcka, to ridicule; G. schäkern.]

1. A jest; something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive; raillery. A jealous person will rarely bear a joke.
2. An illusion; something not real, or to no purpose. Inclose whole downs in walls, 'tis all a joke! – Pope. A practical joke is a trick played on a person, sometimes to the injury or annoyance of his body. In joke, in jest; for the sake of raising a laugh; not in earnest.