Risibleness

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. [1913 Webster]

Laughing is our busines, . . . it has been made the definition of man that he is risible. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

2. Exciting laughter; worthy to be laughed at; amusing. ``Risible absurdities.'' --Johnson. [1913 Webster]

I hope you find nothing risible in my complaisance. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

3. Used in, or expressing, laughter; as, risible muscles. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]