risibly

1 definition found

risibly - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Risible \Ris"i*ble\, a. [F., fr. L. risibilis, fr. ridere,
     risum, to laugh. Cf. Ridiculous.]
     1. Having the faculty or power of laughing; disposed to
        laugh.
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              Laughing is our busines, . . . it has been made the
              definition of man that he is risible. --Dr. H. More.
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     2. Exciting laughter; worthy to be laughed at; amusing.
        "Risible absurdities." --Johnson.
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              I hope you find nothing risible in my complaisance.
                                                    --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
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     3. Used in, or expressing, laughter; as, risible muscles.
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     Note: Risible is sometimes used as a noun, in the plural, for
           the feeling of amusement and for the muscles and other
           organs used in laughing, collectively; as, unable to
           control one's risibles.
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     Syn: Ludicrous; laughable; amusing; ridiculous -- Risible,
          Ludicrous, Ridiculous.
  
     Usage: Risible differs from ludicrous as species from genus;
            ludicrous expressing that which is playful and
            sportive; risible, that which may excite laughter.
            Risible differs from ridiculous, as the latter implies
            something contemptuous, and risible does not.
            [1913 Webster] --Ris"i*ble*ness, n. -- Ris"i*bly,
            adv.
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