AMUSE


Meaning of AMUSE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ə-ˈmyüz ]

verb

( amused ; amus·ing )

Etymology: Middle French amuser, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad- ) + muser to muse

Date: 15th century

transitive verb

1.

a. archaic : to divert the attention of so as to deceive

b. obsolete : to occupy the attention of : absorb

c. obsolete : distract , bewilder

2.

a. : to entertain or occupy in a light, playful, or pleasant manner

amuse the child with a story

b. : to appeal to the sense of humor of

the joke doesn't amuse me

intransitive verb

obsolete : muse

• amus·ed·ly -ˈmyü-zəd-lē adverb

• amus·er noun

Synonyms:

amuse , divert , entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly. amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly or frivolously

amuse yourselves while I prepare dinner

divert implies the distracting of the attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

entertain suggests supplying amusement or diversion by specially prepared or contrived methods

a magician entertaining children at a party

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.