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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Risible


RI'SIBLE, adjective [Latin risibilis, from rideo, risi, to laugh. See Ridiculous.]

1. Having the faculty or power of laughing. Man is a risible animal.

2. Laughable; capable of exciting laughter. The description of Falstaff in Shakespeare, exhibits a risible scene. 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 mean or contemptible, and risible does not.