Part 370

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.

Syn. -- Ludicrous; laughable; amusing; ridiculous -- Risible, Ludicrous, Ridiculous. 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.

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--Ris"i*ble*ness(#), n. -- Ris"i*bly, adv.

Ris"ing (?), a. 1. Attaining a higher place; taking, or moving in, an upward direction; appearing above the horizon; ascending; as, the rising moon.

2. Increasing in wealth, power, or distinction; as, a rising state; a rising character.

Among the rising theologians of Germany.

Hare.

3. Growing; advancing to adult years and to the state of active life; as, the rising generation.

Ris"ing, prep. More than; exceeding; upwards of; as, a horse rising six years of age. [Colloq. & Low, U.S.]

Ris"ing, n. 1. The act of one who, or that which, rises (in any sense).

2. That which rises; a tumor; a boil. Lev. xiii. 10.

Rising main (Waterworks), the pipe through which water from an engine is delivered to an elevated reservoir.

Risk (?), n. [F. risque; cf. It. risco, risico, rischio, Pg. risco, Sp. riesgo, and also Sp. risco a steep rock; all probably fr. L. resceare to cut off; pref. re- re- + secare to cut; -- the word having been probably first used among sailors. See Section.] 1. Hazard; danger; peril; exposure to loss, injury, or destruction.

The imminent and constant risk of assassination, a risk which has shaken very strong nerves.

Macaulay.

2. (Com.) Hazard of loss; liabillity to loss in property.

To run a risk, to incur hazard; to encounter danger.

Syn. -- Danger; hazard; peril; jeopardy; exposure. See Danger.

Risk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Risked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Risking.] [CF. F. risquer. See Risk, n.] 1. To expose to risk, hazard, or peril; to venture; as, to risk goods on board of a ship; to risk one's person in battle; to risk one's fame by a publication.

2. To incur the risk or danger of; as, to risk a battle.

Syn. -- To hazard; peril; endanger; jeopard.