A movement (usually involuntary) of the muscles of the face, particularly of the lips, with a peculiar expression of the eyes, indicating merriment, satisfaction, or derision, and usually attended by a sonorous and interrupted expulsion of air from the lungs. See
Laugh,
v. i. See: Laugh
“The act of
laughter, which is a sweet contraction of the muscles of the face, and a pleasant agitation of the vocal organs, is not merely, or totally within the jurisdiction of ourselves.”
— Sir T. Browne.
“Archly the maiden smiled, and with eyes overrunning with
laughter.”
— Longfellow.