- F. amuser to make stay, to detain, to amuse, àL. ad) + OF. muser. See Musev.
- To occupy or engage the attention of; to lose in deep thought; to absorb; also, to distract; to bewilder.ObsCamillus set upon the Gauls when they were amused in receiving their gold.Being amused with grief, fear, and fright, he could not find the house.
- To entertain or occupy in a pleasant manner; to stir with pleasing or mirthful emotions; to divert.A group of children amusing themselves with pushing stones from the top [of the cliff], and watching as they plunged into the lake.
- To keep in expectation; to beguile; to delude.He amused his followers with idle promises.To entertain; gratify; please; divert; beguile; deceive; occupy.Whatever amuses serves to kill time, to lull the faculties, and to banish reflection. Whatever entertains usually awakens the understanding or gratifies the fancy. Whatever diverts is lively in its nature, and sometimes tumultuous in its effects.
