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.Definition 2024
risible
risible
English
Adjective
risible (comparative more risible, superlative most risible)
- Of or pertaining to laughter
- the risible muscles
- 1912, Arthur Quiller-Couch, Hocken and Hunken, ch. 20:
- A joke merely affected her with silent convulsive twitchings, as though the risible faculties struggled somewhere within her but could not bring the laugh to birth.
- Provoking laughter; ludicrous; ridiculous; humorously insignificant
- 1822, Sir Walter Scott, Peveril of the Peak, ch. 34:
- "I hope you find nothing risible in my complaisance?" replied his companion.
- 1822, Sir Walter Scott, Peveril of the Peak, ch. 34:
- (of a person) Easily laughing; prone to laughter
- Dr H. More
- It has been made the definition of man that he is risible.
- 1897, Thomas Hardy, The Well-Beloved. ch. 8:
- She was half risible, half concerned.
- Dr H. More
Synonyms
Translations
provoking laughter
prone to laughter
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French
Etymology
From Late Latin rīsibilis, from rīdeō (“to laugh”)
Adjective
risible m, f (plural risibles)
Spanish
Etymology
From Late Latin rīsibilis, from rīdeō (“to laugh”)
Adjective
risible m, f (plural risibles)