a. [ad. late L. lūdibriōs-us, f. lūdibrium sport, jest, f. lūdĕre to play.]
† 1. Apt to be a subject of jest or mockery. Obs.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 85/1. The youth in skuls flocke and run togither, and craue that they may haue Agnes their ludibrious preie.
1597. Beard, Theatre God’s Judgem. (1612), 41. Baiazet the Turke, to what a miserable and ludibrious end came hee.
1650. Sir W. Mure, Cry of Blood, 266. Ludibrious Clay Dare craule on borrowed legges, and Heaven defy.
1675. Brooks, Gold. Key, Wks. 1867, V. 493. Ludibrious acts, and mere follies!
2. Full of scorn; inclined to scoff; scornful, mocking. Also transf. Now rare.
1641. J. Shute, Sarah & Hagar (1649), 62. Samson more patiently endureth the boring out of his eyes, than the ludibrious scoffs of the Philistines.
1780. J. Howie, in Shields, Faithf. Contend., Pref. 21. This lukewarm and ludibrious generation.
1807. J. Barlow, Columb., IX. 647. He … Leaves to ludibrious winds the priceless page.
