Meaning of gargalesis | Babel Free

Definitions

Heavy tickling often leading to laughter.

uncountable

Examples

“Pending a better nomenclature we suggest⟳ for the former the term knismesis and for the latter the term gargalesis, with the adjectives knismic and gargalic, hyperknismesis and hyper-gargalesis for excess, etc.”

“Gargalesis, the heavy tickle⟳ associated with play⟳ and laughter and seemingly with pleasure, may be limited to the primates, but not solely to human beings.”

“The second type⟳ of tickle⟳ called gargalesis is evoked by a heavier touch⟳ to particular areas of the body such as armpits or ribs. Such kind of stimuli usually results in laugher and squirming.”

“2017, Etymologist Susie Dent, appearing on "Would I Lie⟳ To You" Series 11, Episode 4, broadcast⟳ on 11 December 2017. "My dad once broke my leg during a particularly vigorous bout of gargalesis... or the light⟳ kind which is called knismesis."”

CEFR level