Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BAN'TER, v.t. [Gr. φεναξ, whence φενακιζω, to mock, or deride.]

To play upon in words and in good humor; to rally; to joke, or jest with. Banter hardly amounts to ridicule, much less to derision. It consists in being pleasant and witty with the actions of another, and raising a humorous laugh at his expense, often attended with some degree of sarcasm.