RI'SIBLE, adjective [Latin risibilis, from rideo, risi, to laugh. See Ridiculous.] 1. Having the faculty or power of laughing. Man is a risible animal. 2. Laughable; capable of exciting laughter. The description of Falstaff in Shakespeare, exhibits a risible scene. 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 mean or contemptible, and risible does not.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI