[f. AMUSE v. + -ING2.]

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  † 1.  Beguiling; cheating. Obs.

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1597.  Daniel, Civ. Wares, II. v. Th’amuzing shadowes that are cast upon The state of Princes, to beguile the sight.

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  2.  Engaging the mind or attention in a pleasing way; interesting. arch.

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1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 463, ¶ 2. These several amusing Thoughts having taken possession of my Mind.

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1714.  Pope, Let. Jervas, Wks. 1737, V. 224. The amusing power of Poetry.

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1794.  Godwin, Cal. Williams, 290. The project which had formerly proved amusing to my imagination.

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  3.  Pleasantly entertaining or diverting; exciting the risible faculty, tickling the fancy.

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1826.  Disraeli, Viv. Grey, I. vi. 15. My dear Sir! you are pleased to be amusing this morning.

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1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 147. His objections are highly curious and amusing.

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1866.  Geo. Eliot, F. Holt (1868), 25. She found ridicule of Biblical characters very amusing.

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