Joke \Joke\, n. [L. jocus. Cf Jeopardy, Jocular, Juggler.]

[1913 Webster]

1. Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive (commonly indicating more of hilarity or humor than jest); a jest; a witticism; as, to crack good-natured jokes. [1913 Webster]

And gentle dullness ever loves a joke. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

Or witty joke our airy senses moves To pleasant laughter. --Gay. [1913 Webster]

2. Something not said seriously, or not actually meant; something done in sport. [1913 Webster]

Inclose whole downs in walls, 't is all a joke. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

In joke, in jest; sportively; not meant seriously.

Practical joke. See under Practical. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Practical \Prac"ti*cal\, a. [L. practicus active, Gr. ? fit for doing or performing, practical, active, fr. ? to do, work, effect: cf. F. pratique, formerly also practique. Cf. Pragmatic, Practice.]

1. Of or pertaining to practice or action. [1913 Webster]

2. Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry. "Man's practical understanding." --South. "For all practical purposes." --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

3. Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind. [1913 Webster]

4. Derived from practice; as, practical skill. [1913 Webster]

Practical joke, a joke put in practice; a joke the fun of which consists in something done, in distinction from something said; esp., a trick played upon a person. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

practical joke

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Joke \Joke\, n. [L. jocus. Cf Jeopardy, Jocular, Juggler.]

1. Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive (commonly indicating more of hilarity or humor than jest); a jest; a witticism; as, to crack good-natured jokes.

And gentle dullness ever loves a joke. --Pope.

Or witty joke our airy senses moves To pleasant laughter. --Gay.

2. Something not said seriously, or not actually meant; something done in sport.

Inclose whole downs in walls, 't is all a joke. --Pope.

In joke, in jest; sportively; not meant seriously.

Practical joke. See under Practical.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Practical \Prac"ti*cal\, a. [L. practicus active, Gr. ? fit for doing or performing, practical, active, fr. ? to do, work, effect: cf. F. pratique, formerly also practique. Cf. Pragmatic, Practice.]

1. Of or pertaining to practice or action.

2. Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry. ``Man's practical understanding.'' --South. ``For all practical purposes.'' --Macaulay.

3. Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind.

4. Derived from practice; as, practical skill.

Practical joke, a joke put in practice; a joke the fun of which consists in something done, in distinction from something said; esp., a trick played upon a person.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)