pleasantry

pleasantry
pleasantry (n.) "sprightly humor in conversation," 1650s, from Fr. plaisanterie, from O.Fr. plesanterie (13c.), from plaisant (see PLEASANT (Cf. pleasant)). It has the word's modern French sense of "funny, jocular." Related: Pleasantries.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Pleasantry — Pleas ant*ry, n.; pl. {Pleasantries}. [F. plaisanterie. See {Pleasant}.] That which denotes or promotes pleasure or good humor; cheerfulness; gayety; merriment; especially, an agreeable playfulness in conversation; a jocose or humorous remark;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pleasantry — [n] nice remark badinage, banter, bon mot*, humor, jest, joke, joking, levity, merriment, quip, quirk, repartee, sally*, squib*, wit, witticism; concepts 273,278 Ant. criticism …   New thesaurus

  • pleasantry — ► NOUN (pl. pleasantries) 1) an inconsequential remark made as part of a polite conversation. 2) a mildly amusing joke …   English terms dictionary

  • pleasantry — [plez′ən trē] n. pl. pleasantries [Fr plaisanterie] 1. the quality or state of being pleasant, or playful, in conversation; jocularity 2. a) a humorous remark or action; joke b) a polite social remark [to exchange pleasantries] …   English World dictionary

  • pleasantry — UK [ˈplez(ə)ntrɪ] / US [ˈplezəntrɪ] noun [countable, usually plural] Word forms pleasantry : singular pleasantry plural pleasantries a pleasant remark that you make in order to be polite. When two people exchange pleasantries, they talk to each… …   English dictionary

  • pleasantry — noun 1) we exchanged pleasantries Syn: banter, badinage; polite remark, casual remark 2) he laughed at his own pleasantry Syn: joke, witticism, quip, jest, gag, bon mot; informal wisecrack, crack …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • pleasantry — noun (plural ries) Date: 1597 1. a humorous act or remark ; jest 2. an agreeable playfulness in conversation ; banter 3. a polite social remark < exchanged pleasantries > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • pleasantry — /plez euhn tree/, n., pl. pleasantries. 1. good humored teasing; banter. 2. a humorous or jesting remark. 3. a courteous social remark used to initiate or facilitate a conversation: to exchange pleasantries. 4. a humorous action. [1645 55; < F… …   Universalium

  • pleasantry — noun a) A casual, courteous remark b) A playful remark; a jest …   Wiktionary

  • pleasantry — Synonyms and related words: Atticism, affability, agile wit, agreeability, agreeableness, amenity, amiability, amicability, aphorism, apothegm, badinage, banter, black humor, bliss, blissfulness, bon mot, boutade, bright idea, bright thought,… …   Moby Thesaurus

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