Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “jesting” come from?

Jesting derives from Middle English geste, from Latin gesta meaning deeds or exploits, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European gʰóstis.

jesting (English): joking; bantering; ridicule; mocking

Definitions

  1. joking; bantering; ridicule; mocking

Ancestry of “jesting”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishjestAn act performed for amusement; a joke; Someone...
2Middle EnglishgesteA epic work of poetry or music; A written story...
3Middle Frenchgesteact; action
4Old Frenchgesteact; action; story of heroism or bravery; gesture
5Latingestanominative feminine singular of gestus;...

Words derived from “jesting”

  • jestingly
Every word from Latin gesta →