Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “jape” come from?

jape (English) comes from Middle English japen — to deceive, play tricks on; act foolishly, joke;...

jape (English): A joke or quip; A prank or trick; To jest; play...

Definitions

  1. A joke or quip; A prank or trick; To jest; play...

Ancestry of “jape”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishjapento deceive, play tricks on; act foolishly, joke;...

Words derived from “jape”

  • japing
  • japer
  • japery
  • japester
  • japingly
Every word from Middle English japen →