Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-MUSE', v.t. [s as z. Fr. amuser, to stop or keep at bay, to detain; from muser, to loiter or trifle; It. musare, to gaze or stand idle; Ger. müssig, idle. Qu. Gr. μυζω; L. musso.]

1. To entertain the mind agreeably; to occupy or detain attention with agreeable objects, whether by singing, conversation, or a show of curiosities. Dr. Johnson remarks, that amuse implies something less lively than divert, and less important than please. Hence it is often said, we are amused with trifles.
2. To detain; to engage the attention by hope or expectation; as, to amuse one by flattering promises.