Part 404

<h1>Amusable</h1> <Xpage=51>

<hw>A*mus"a*ble</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>amusable</ets>.]</ety> <def>Capable of being amused.</def>

<h1>Amuse</h1> <Xpage=51>

<hw>A*muse"</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Amused</er> <tt>(#)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Amusing</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[F. <ets>amuser</ets> to make stay, to detain, to amuse, <?/ (L. <ets>ad</ets>) + OF. <ets>muser</ets>. See <er>Muse</er>, <ets>v</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To occupy or engage the attention of; to lose in deep thought; to absorb; also, to distract; to bewilder.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Camillus set upon the Gauls when they were <b>amused</b> in receiving their gold. <i>Holland.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Being <b>amused</b> with grief, fear, and fright, he could not find the house. <i>Fuller.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To entertain or occupy in a pleasant manner; to stir with pleasing or mirthful emotions; to divert.</def>

<blockquote>A group children <b>amusing</b> themselves with pushing stones from the top [of the cliff], and watching as they plunged into the lake. <i>Gilpin.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To keep in extraction; to beguile; to delude.</def>

<blockquote>He <b>amused</b> his followers with idle promises. <i>Johnson.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- To entertain; gratify; please; divert; beguile; deceive; occupy.</syn> <usage> -- To <er>Amuse</er>, <er>Divert</er>, <er>Entertain</er>. We are <i>amused</i> by that which occupies us lightly and pleasantly. We are <i>entertained</i> by that which brings our minds into agreeable contact with others, as conversation, or a book. We are <i>diverted</i> by that which turns off our thoughts to something of livelier interest, especially of a sportive nature, as a humorous story, or a laughable incident.</usage>

<blockquote>Whatever <b>amuses</b> serves to kill time, to lull the faculties, and to banish reflection. Whatever <b>entertains</b> usually a wakens the understanding or gratifies the fancy. Whatever <b>diverts</b> is lively in its nature, and sometimes tumultuous in its effects. <i>Crabb.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Amuse</h1> <Xpage=51>

<hw>A*muse"</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <def>To muse; to mediate.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Amused</h1> <Xpage=51>

<hw>A*mused"</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Diverted.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Expressing amusement; <as>as, an <ex>amused</ex> look</as>.</def>

<h1>Amusement</h1> <Xpage=51>

<hw>A*muse"ment</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>amusement</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Deep thought; muse.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Here I . . . fell into a strong and deep <b>amusement</b>, revolving in my mind, with great perplexity, the amazing change of our affairs. <i>Fleetwood.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>The state of being amused; pleasurable excitement; that which amuses; diversion.</def>

<blockquote>His favorite <b>amusements</b> were architecture and gardening. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Diversion; entertainment; recreation; relaxation; pastime; sport.</syn>

<h1>Amuser</h1> <Xpage=51>

<hw>A*mus"er</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who amuses.</def>

<h1>Amusette</h1> <Xpage=51>

<hw>Am`u*sette"</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F.]</ety> <def>A light field cannon, or stocked gun mounted on a swivel.</def>

<h1>Amusing</h1> <Xpage=51>