Amusement
anything that ; pastime; entertainment.
the act of .
the state of being ; enjoyment.
noun
something that amuses, such as a game or other pastime
a mechanical device used for entertainment, as at a fair
the act of amusing or the state or quality of being amused
n.
c.1600, “diversion of attention,” especially in military actions, from French amusement, noun of action from amuser (see amuse).
And because all bold and irreverent Speeches touching matters of high nature, and all malicious and false Reports tending to Sedition, or to the Amusement of Our People, are punishable … (etc.) [Charles II, Proclamation of Oct. 26, 1688]
Meaning “a pastime, play, game, anything which pleasantly diverts the attention” (from duty, work, etc.) is from 1670s, originally depreciative; meaning “pleasurable diversion” attested from 1690s. Amusement hall is from 1862; amusement park first recorded 1897.
Read Also:
- Amusedly
pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted. displaying : an amused expression on her face. aroused to mirth. Historical Examples Tricotrin, indifferent to the hint as to the rebuff, looked at him amusedly. Wisdom, Wit, and Pathos of Ouida Ouida He had been diligently and amusedly studying the last prisoner. “Persons Unknown” Virginia Tracy He looked at […]
- Amusement arcade
noun (Brit) a covered area having coin-operated game machines
- Amusement park
a large park equipped with such recreational devices as a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, roller coaster, etc., and usually having booths for games and refreshments. noun an open-air entertainment area consisting of stalls, side shows, etc
- Amusement tax
a tax levied on such forms of entertainment as motion pictures, theater, etc., and included in the total admission price.
- Amusia
the inability to produce or comprehend music or musical sounds. Historical Examples amusia, or loss of the musical faculty, may occur in association with or independent of aphasia. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 Various noun the inability to distinguish differences in musical pitch; tone deafness amusia a·mu·si·a (ə-myōō’zē-ə, -zhə) n. Loss or […]