ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jester

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˈdʒɛstɝ// UK //dʒˈɛstɐ// jester

n. a person who makes jokes and tells funny stories to entertain others, especially in the past at a king's court. They often wore colorful clothes and used a funny hat.

n. a professional entertainer who performed at the court of a monarch, typically through jest, satire, or physical comedy. Historically associated with the medieval period and the role of the fool in Shakespearean drama.


SIMPLE

The jester made the king laugh with his silly jokes.

CONTEXTUAL

During the medieval feast, the jester performed a series of acrobatic tricks to keep the guests entertained.

COMPLEX

The jester served not only as a source of amusement but also as a subtle critic of the court, using coded language to point out the king's flaws without direct reproach.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English gestour; equivalent to jest + -er.

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