Etymology

Noun

1. The sound of laughing, produced by air so expelled; any similar sound.

   Their loud laughter betrayed their presence

2. A movement (usually involuntary) of the muscles of the laughing 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.

   • 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 Thomas Browne
   • Archly the maiden smiled, and with eyes overrunning with laughter - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

3. A reason for merriment
4. A decidedly one-sided sports contest, especially where the winning team is able to score at will.

   The final score of the football game was 70-0; what a laughter it was.