Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RI'SI-BLE, a. [Fr. risible; L. 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 Shakspeare, 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.