amuse

amuse
amusable, adj.amuser, n.
/euh myoohz"/, v.t., amused, amusing.
1. to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner: She amused the guests with witty conversation.
2. to cause mirth, laughter, or the like, in: The comedian amused the audience with a steady stream of jokes.
3. to cause (time, leisure, etc.) to pass agreeably.
4. Archaic. to keep in expectation by flattery, pretenses, etc.
5. Obs.
a. to engross; absorb.
b. to puzzle; distract.
[1470-80; < MF amuser to divert, amuse; see A-5, MUSE]
Syn. 1. please, charm, cheer. AMUSE, DIVERT, ENTERTAIN mean to occupy the attention with something pleasant. That which AMUSES is usually playful or humorous and pleases the fancy. DIVERT implies turning the attention from serious thoughts or pursuits to something light, amusing, or lively. That which ENTERTAINS usually does so because of a plan or program that engages and holds the attention by being pleasing and sometimes instructive.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Amuse — A*muse ([.a]*m[=u]z ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amused} ([.a]*m[=u]zd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Amusing}.] [F. amuser to make stay, to detain, to amuse, [ a] (L. ad) + OF. muser. See {Muse}, v.] 1. To occupy or engage the attention of; to lose in deep… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • amuse — amuse, divert, entertain, recreate mean to cause or enable one to pass one’s time in pleasant or agreeable occupations. Their corresponding nouns amusement, diversion, entertainment, recreation are also synonyms denoting such an occupation or its …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • amuse — amuse; amuse·ment; …   English syllables

  • amuse — [ə myo͞oz′] vt. amused, amusing [Fr amuser < à, at + OFr muser, to stare fixedly, MUSE] 1. to keep pleasantly or enjoyably occupied or interested; entertain [we amused ourselves with games] 2. to make laugh, smile, etc. by being comical or… …   English World dictionary

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  • amuse — index occupy (engage) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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