Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Risible
1.
Having the faculty or power of laughing; disposed to laugh.
Laughing is our busines, . . . it has been made the definition of man that he is
risible
. Dr. H. More.
2.
Exciting laughter; worthy to be laughed at; amusing.
“Risible absurdities.” Johnson.
I hope you find nothing
risible
in my complaisance. Sir W. Scott.
3.
Used in, or expressing, laughter;
as,
. risible
muscles☞ 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.
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.
–Ris′i-ble-ness
(#)
, Noun.
Ris′i-bly
, adv.
Webster 1828 Edition
Risible
RI'SIBLE
,Adj.
1.
Having the faculty or power of laughing. Man is a risible animal.2.
Laughable; capable of exciting laughter. The description of Falstaff in Shakespeare, exhibits a risible scene. 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 mean or contemptible, and risible does not.