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Webster 1913 Edition

Comedy

Com′e-dy

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Comedies
(#)
.
[F.
comédie
, L.
comoedia
, fr. Gr. [GREEK]; [GREEK] a jovial festivity with music and dancing, a festal procession, an ode sung at this procession (perh. akin to [GREEK] village, E.
home
) + [GREEK] to sing; for comedy was originally of a lyric character. See
Home
, and
Ode
.]
A dramatic composition, or representation of a bright and amusing character, based upon the foibles of individuals, the manners of society, or the ludicrous events or accidents of life; a play in which mirth predominates and the termination of the plot is happy; – opposed to
tragedy
.
With all the vivacity of
comedy
.
Macaulay.
Are come to play a pleasant
comedy
.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Comedy

COMEDY

,
Noun.
A dramatic composition intended to represent human characters, which are to be imitated in language, dress and manner, by actors on a stage, for the amusement of spectators. The object of comedy is said to be to recommend virtue and make vice ridiculous; but the real effect is amusement.

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