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Giving amusement; diverting; as, an amusing story. -- A*mus"ing*ly, adv.

pleasant manner; to stir with pleasing or mirthful emotions; to divert. A group children amusing themselves with pushing stones from the top [of the cliff], and watching as they plunged into the lake. Gilpin.

An optical toy for producing amusing figures or pictures by means of two revolving disks, on one of which distorted figures are painted.

A hoop suspended by an elastic strap, in which a young child may be held secure while amusing itself by jumping on the floor.

A man who makes a practice of amusing others by low tricks, antic gestures, etc.; a droll; a mimic; a harlequin; a clown; a merry-andrew.

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 if comedy. M…

Amusing; entertaining. -- Di*vert"ing*ly, adv. -- Di*vert"ing*ness, n.

Tending to divert; diverting; amusing; interesting. Things of a pleasant and divertive nature. Rogers.

happiness; as, a dream of bliss; the dream of his youth. There sober thought pursued the amusing theme, Till Fancy colored it and formed a dream. Pope. It is not them a mere dream, but a very real aim which they propose. J. C. Shairp.

Queer, and fitted to provoke laughter; ludicrous from oddity; amusing and strange.

Affording entertainment; pleasing; amusing; diverting. -- En`ter*tain"ing*ly, adv. -- En`ter*tain"ing*ness, n.

The act of receiving as host, or of amusing, admitting, or cherishing; hospitable reception; also, reception or treatment, in general. The entertainment of Christ by faith. Baxter. The sincere entertainment and practice of the precepts of the gospel. Bp. Sprat.

Droll; comical; amusing; laughable. Funny bone. See crazy bone, under Crazy.

nds of gibberish he had learnt to known. Drayton. Such gibberish as children may be heard amusing themselves with. Hawthorne.

I begged in jest. Shak. -- Jest book, a book containing a collection of jests, jokes, and amusing anecdotes; a Joe Miller.

A person addicted to jesting, or to indulgence in light and amusing talk. He ambled up and down With shallow jesters. Shak.

An assembly of persons wearing masks, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions. In courtly balls and midnight masquerades. Pope.

To a great extent or degree; very; very much; considerably. "Quite amusing." Macaulay. He really looks quite concerned. Landor. The island stretches along the land and is quite close to it. Jowett (Thucyd. ).

eating; giving new vigor or animation; reinvigorating; giving relief after labor or pain; amusing; diverting. Let the music of them be recreative. Bacon. --- Rec"re*a`tive*ly, adv. -- Rec"re*a`tive*ness, n.

Exciting laughter; worthy to be laughed at; amusing. "Risible absurdities." Johnson. I hope you find nothing risible in my complaisance. Sir W. Scott.