Laugh"ing (?), a. & n. from Laugh, v. i.
Laughing falcon (Zoöl.), a South American hawk (Herpetotheres
cachinnans); -- so called from its notes, which resemble a shrill
laugh. -- Laughing gas (Chem.), hyponitrous oxide, or protoxide of
nitrogen; -- so called from the exhilaration and laughing which it
sometimes produces when inhaled. It is much used as an anæsthetic
agent. -- Laughing goose (Zoöl.), the European white-fronted goose. --
Laughing gull. (Zoöl.) (a) A common European gull (Xema ridibundus); --
called also pewit, black cap, red-legged gull, and sea crow. (b) An
American gull (Larus atricilla). In summer the head is nearly black,
the back slate color, and the five outer primaries black. -- Laughing
hyena (Zoöl.), the spotted hyena. See Hyena. -- Laughing jackass
(Zoöl.), the great brown kingfisher (Dacelo gigas), of Australia; --
called also giant kingfisher, and gogobera. -- Laughing owl (Zoöl.), a
peculiar owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) of New Zealand, said to be on the
verge of extinction. The name alludes to its notes.
Laugh"ing*ly (?), adv. With laughter or merriment.
Laugh"ing*stock` (?), n. An object of ridicule; a butt of sport. Shak.
When he talked, he talked nonsense, and made himself the
laughingstock of his hearers.
Macaulay.
Laugh"some (?), a. Exciting laughter; also, addicted to laughter;
merry. [R.]
Laugh"ter (?), n. [AS. hleahtor; akin to OHG. hlahtar, G. gelächter,
Icel. hltr, Dan. latter. See Laugh, v. i. ] 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.
Laugh"ter*less, a. Not laughing; without laughter.
Laugh"wor`thy (?), a. Deserving to be laughed at. [R.] B. Jonson.
Lau"mont*ite (?), n. [From Dr. Laumont, the discoverer.] (Min.) A
mineral, of a white color and vitreous luster. It is a hydrous silicate
of alumina and lime. Exposed to the air, it loses water, becomes
opaque, and crumbles. [Written also laumonite.]