laughter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the sound of laughing
    laugh.
  2. noun the activity of laughing; the manifestation of joy or mirth or scorn
    • he enjoyed the laughter of the crowd

WordNet

Laugh"ter noun
Etymology
AS. hleahtor; akin to OHG. hlahtar, G. gelächter, Icel. hlatr, Dan. latter. See Laugh, v. i.
Definitions
  1. 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.
    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.

Webster 1913