from
The 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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