RI'SIBLE, a. [L. 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.
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