banterer

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ban·ter

(băn′tər)

Good-humored, playful, or teasing conversation.

v. ban·tered, ban·ter·ing, ban·ters

v.intr.

To engage in banter: bantered with her colleagues during a coffee break.

v.tr.

To speak to in a playful or teasing way: "She laughed and bantered him a little, remembering too late that she should have been dignified and reserved" (Kate Chopin).

[Origin unknown.]

ban′ter·er n.

ban′ter·ing·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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References in classic literature ?

"Indeed, sir," answered Jones, "I scorn the character of a banterer. I came to you in most serious earnest, imagining, as I find true, that your son had never dared acquaint you with a match so much inferior to him in point of fortune, though the reputation of the lady will suffer it no longer to remain a secret."

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"But you are afraid, just as any of us would be, to go out there naked, armed only with a knife and a piece of rope," said the banterer. "Is it not so?"

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"I give you no commission," replied D'Artagnan, with that calmness which never abandons the banterer; "I thought it would be easy for you to announce to his majesty that it was I who, being there by chance, did justice upon Menneville and restored things to order."