amusive

amusive

English

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd

Proto-Italic *ad

Proto-Italic *ad-

Latin ad-

Old French a-

Old French muser

Old French amuserbor.

Middle English *amusen

English amuse

Proto-Indo-European *-wós

Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder.

Latin -īvus

Old French -ifbor.

Middle English -yf

English -ive

English amusive

From amuse + -ive.

Adjective

amusive (comparative more amusive, superlative most amusive)

(obsolete) Illusive, deceitful. [18th–19th c.]
- a. 1749 (date written), James Thomson, “Spring”, in The Seasons, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, and sold by Thomas Cadell, […], published 1768, →OCLC:
  [T]he Swain […] amaz'd / Beholds th' amusive Arch before him fly, / Then vanish quite away.
(now rare) Giving entertainment or interest; recreative, diverting, engaging. [from 18th c.]
- 1789, Gilbert White, Natural History and Antiquities of Selbourne:
  As I have regarded these amusive birds with no small attention, if I should advance something new and peculiar with respect to them, and different from all other birds, I might perhaps be credited, especially as my assertion is the result of many years' exact observation.
(now rare) Amusing, humorous. [from 18th c.]

Derived terms