-droll-

n. 1. One whose practice it is to raise mirth by odd tricks; a jester; a buffoon; a merry-andrew. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Something exhibited to raise mirth or sport, as a puppet, a farce, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Drolled p. pr. & vb. n. Drolling. ] To jest; to play the buffoon. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To lead or influence by jest or trick; to banter or jest; to cajole. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men that will not be reasoned into their senses, may yet be laughed or drolled into them. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make a jest of; to set in a comical light. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

This drolling everything is rather fatiguing. W. D. Howells. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A jester; a droll. [ Obs. ] Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Drolleries [ F. drôlerie. See Droll. ] 1. The quality of being droll; sportive tricks; buffoonery; droll stories; comical gestures or manners. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rich drollery of “She Stoops to Conquer.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Something which serves to raise mirth; as: (a) A puppet show; also, a puppet. [ Obs. ] Shak. (b) A lively or comic picture. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I bought an excellent drollery, which I afterward parted with to my brother George of Wotton. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a jesting manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Somewhat droll. Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]