n. [ CF. F. risibilité. ] The quality of being risible; as, risibility is peculiar to the human species. [ 1913 Webster ]

A strong and obvious disposition to risibility. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F., fr. L. risibilis, fr. ridere, risum, to laugh. Cf. Ridiculous. ] 1. Having the faculty or power of laughing; disposed to laugh. [ 1913 Webster ]

Laughing is our busines, . . . it has been made the definition of man that he is risible. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Exciting laughter; worthy to be laughed at; amusing. “Risible absurdities.” Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

I hope you find nothing risible in my complaisance. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Used in, or expressing, laughter; as, risible muscles. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

--Ris"i*ble*nessn. -- Ris"i*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Attaining a higher place; taking, or moving in, an upward direction; appearing above the horizon; ascending; as, the rising moon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Increasing in wealth, power, or distinction; as, a rising state; a rising character. [ 1913 Webster ]

Among the rising theologians of Germany. Hare. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Growing; advancing to adult years and to the state of active life; as, the rising generation. [ 1913 Webster ]

prep. More than; exceeding; upwards of; as, a horse rising six years of age. [ Colloq. & Low, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of one who, or that which, rises (in any sense). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which rises; a tumor; a boil. Lev. xiii. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rising main (Waterworks), the pipe through which water from an engine is delivered to an elevated reservoir. [ 1913 Webster ]