3. To keep in extraction; to beguile; to delude. He amused his followers with idle promises. Johnson.
Syn. — To entertain; gratify; please; divert; beguile; deceive; occupy. — To Amuse, Divert, Entertain. We are amused by that which occupies us lightly and pleasantly. We are entertained by that which brings our minds into agreeable contact with others, as conversation, or a book. We are diverted by that which turns off our thoughts to something of livelier interest, especially of a sportive nature, as a humorous story, or a laughable incident. Whatever amuses serves to kill time, to lull the faculties, and to banish reflection. Whatever entertains usually a wakens the understanding or gratifies the fancy. Whatever diverts is lively in its nature, and sometimes tumultuous in its effects. Crabb.
AMUSE
A*muse", v. i.
Defn: To muse; to mediate. [Obs.]
AMUSED
A*mused", a.
1. Diverted.
2. Expressing amusement; as, an amused look.
AMUSEMENT
A*muse"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. amusement.]
1. Deep thought; muse. [Obs.] Here I . . . fell into a strong and deep amusement, revolving in my mind, with great perplexity, the amazing change of our affairs. Fleetwood.
2. The state of being amused; pleasurable excitement; that which amuses; diversion. His favorite amusements were architecture and gardening. Macaulay.