The spelling of the word "cachinnatory" may seem daunting, but it can be broken down phonetically as "ka-kih-nuh-tawr-ee." The word, meaning loud or unrestrained laughter, can be difficult to remember due to its unusual spelling. The "ch" sound is pronounced as a hard "k," while the "i" sound follows the short "a" sound. The stress is on the second syllable, "kih," with the ending "-natory" sounding like "nay-tuh-ree." Overall, the word is a mouthful but is worth learning for those who appreciate vivid vocabulary.
Cachinnatory is an adjective that refers to something or someone that exhibits or expresses loud, boisterous, and uncontrollable laughter. The term is derived from the Latin word "cachinnare," which means to laugh aloud. It is predominantly used to describe a person's laughter that is characterized by being obnoxiously loud, raucous, and often resembling loud roaring or cackling.
A cachinnatory laugh is typically deep, prolonged, and uninhibited, expressing amusement or mirth in an excessive and often exaggerated way. It is associated with intense joy or finding something incredibly funny, surpassing the usual levels of laughter commonly observed. The cachinnatory laughter is often uncontrollable, as the individual may struggle to cease laughing due to the overwhelming sense of hilarity.
This adjective can also be used to describe a situation, performance, or event where laughter is predominant and infectious, such as a comedy show or a gathering where everyone is engaged in uproarious laughter. Furthermore, it can be employed to describe certain comedic elements that elicit uncontrollable laughter from the audience, showcasing the ability of such elements to induce fits of cachinnatory laughter.
In summary, the word cachinnatory pertains to loud, boisterous, and uncontrollable laughter exhibited by a person or generated by a comedic situation. It highlights laughter that is intense and infectious, often expressing immense amusement or finding something excessively funny.
Laughing immoderately.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "cachinnatory" derives from the Latin word "cachinnātus", a past participle of the verb "cachinnāre", which means "to laugh loudly" or "to guffaw". In English, the word "cachinnatory" is an adjective used to describe someone or something that laughs or guffaws loudly and uncontrollably.