Ris"i*bly

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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