Part banter, part affection. --Tennyson.
Hag-ridden by my own fancy all night, and then
bantered on my haggard looks the next day. --W.
Irving.
2. To jest about; to ridicule in speaking of, as some trait,
habit, characteristic, and the like. [Archaic]
If they banter your regularity, order, and love of
study, banter in return their neglect of them.
--Chatham.
3. To delude or trick, -- esp. by way of jest. [Obs.]
We diverted ourselves with bantering several poor
scholars with hopes of being at least his lordship's
chaplain. --De Foe.
4. To challenge or defy to a match. [Colloq. Southern and
Western U.S.]