RISIBLE Ris"i*ble, a. Etym: [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. 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.
—Ris"i*ble*ness(#), n.
— Ris"i*bly, adv.
RISING
Ris"ing, a.
1. Attaining a higher place; taking, or moving in, an upward direction; appearing above the horizon; ascending; as, the rising moon.
2. Increasing in wealth, power, or distinction; as, a rising state; a rising character. Among the rising theologians of Germany. Hare.