amuse

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Amused p. pr. & vb. n. Amusing. ] [ F. amuser to make stay, to detain, to amuse, à (L. ad) + OF. muser. See Muse, v. ] 1. To occupy or engage the attention of; to lose in deep thought; to absorb; also, to distract; to bewilder. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Camillus set upon the Gauls when they were amused in receiving their gold. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

Being amused with grief, fear, and fright, he could not find the house. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To entertain or occupy in a pleasant manner; to stir with pleasing or mirthful emotions; to divert. [ 1913 Webster ]

A group of children amusing themselves with pushing stones from the top [ of the cliff ], and watching as they plunged into the lake. Gilpin. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To keep in expectation; to beguile; to delude. [ 1913 Webster ]

He amused his followers with idle promises. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To entertain; gratify; please; divert; beguile; deceive; occupy. -- To Amuse, Divert, Entertain. We are amused by that which occupies us lightly and pleasantly. We are entertained by that which brings our minds into agreeable contact with others, as conversation, or a book. We are diverted by that which turns off our thoughts to something of livelier interest, especially of a sportive nature, as a humorous story, or a laughable incident. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. Crabb. [ 1913 Webster ]