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.

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.

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.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)