Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PLEAS'ANT-RY, n. [plez'antry; Fr. plaisanterie.]

1. Gayety; merriment. The harshness of reasoning is not a little softened and smoothed by the infusions of mirth and pleasantry. – Addison.
2. Sprightly saying; lively talk; effusion of humor. The grave abound in pleasantries, the dull in repartees and points of wit. – Addison.