laugh
UK[lɑːf]US[læf]
v
to make the spontaneous sounds and movements of the face and body that are the instinctive expressions of lively amusement and sometimes also of derision.
n
an act of laughing or the sound of laughing.
Etymology
the word 'laugh' originates from the old english verb 'hlæhhan', 'hlihhan', or 'hleahhan', which meant to laugh or rejoice. it is descended from the proto-germanic root klakhjaną, a word likely formed to imitate the sound of laughter itself. this onomatopoeic origin connects it to similar words in other germanic languages, such as old high german 'lahhen' and gothic 'hlahjan'. over time, the initial 'hl' consonant cluster simplified to 'l', and the word's form stabilized into its modern spelling and pronunciation, retaining its core meaning related to the expression of amusement.
Analysis
this is a simplex word of old english origin. it is not productively formed from smaller, independent morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the joke was so funny it made everyone laugh.
she has a very infectious laugh that brightens the room.
we could hear the children laugh and play in the garden.