jest

Etymology 1

From Middle English geste (“idle tale”), from Old French geste (“acts, exploits”), from Latin gesta (“acts, deeds”). Doublet of gest.

noun

1. (archaic) An act performed for amusement; a joke.
   I made that comment in jest; it wasn't serious.
2. (archaic) Someone or something that is ridiculed; the target of a joke.
   Your majesty, stop him before he makes you the jest of the court.
3. (obsolete) A deed; an action; a gest.
   the jests or actions of princes 1540, Thomas Elyot, Image of Governance
4. (obsolete) A mask; a pageant; an interlude.

verb

1. To tell a joke; to talk in a playful manner; to make fun of something or someone.
   Surely you jest!

Etymology 2

Pronunciation spelling of just..

adv

1. (African-American Vernacular, Southern US) Alternative spelling of just