Humour
[hju:mә]
Definition
n. the moisture or fluids of animal bodies: an animal fluid in an unhealthy state: state of mind (because once thought to depend on the humours of the body) as 'good' and 'ill humour:' disposition: caprice: a mental quality which delights in ludicrous and mirthful ideas: playful fancy.—v.t. to go in with the humour of: to gratify by compliance.—adj. Hū′moral pertaining to or proceeding from the humours.—ns. Hū′moralism the state of being humoral: the doctrine that diseases have their seat in the humours; Hū′moralist one who favours the doctrine of humoralism; Humoresque′ a musical caprice; Hū′morist one whose conduct and conversation are regulated by humour or caprice: one who studies or portrays the humours of people: one possessed of humour: a writer of comic stories.—adjs. Humoris′tic humorous; Hū′morless without humour; Hū′morous governed by humour: capricious: irregular: full of humour: exciting laughter.—adv. Hū′morously.—n. Hū′morousness.—adj. Hū′moursome capricious petulant.—n. Hū′moursomeness.—Out of humour out of temper displeased; The new humour a so-called modern literary product in which there is even less humour than novelty.
Typist: Rosa
Examples
- As I was descending the grand staircase in a very ill-humour, a well-known voice, from a little dark passage, called me by my name. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- I've spoilt her, said he, taking her from me with good humour, and kissing her little hot face and burning lips. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- No--it is not that--I am not in a humour to hear you further. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Emma could hardly understand him; he seemed in an odd humour. Jane Austen. Emma.
- I either _could_ not, or _would_ not speak--I am not sure which: partlyI think, my nerves had got wrong, and partly my humour was crossed. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- When I am out of humour, I come and growl here. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Nowhere in Plato is there a deeper irony or a greater wealth of humour or imagery, or more dramatic power. Plato. The Republic.
- For if I had that chance, in one of the humours he drives me into--he'd go down, sir! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- You are not aware of half my humours yet. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- And you have never any odd humours, my dear. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Well, Mr. Moore, you should contend against these changeful humours. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The humours and dispositions of the Laputians described. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- Finally, she sits down crying on a block of stone, and is in all the known and unknown humours of her sex at once. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- We shall soon improve our youthful humours. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- They were weary, besides, of humouring the people, and of depending upon their caprice for a subsistence. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- To reason with her,' pursued Bradley, half humouring what was present, and half angry with what was not present; 'for her own sake. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Not that I like humouring Moore; but whatever I do I'll be paid for, and in coin of my own choosing. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It's more my fault than yours, for humouring her whims, and letting her be alone in such a place as this. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- And so you would be rid of him,' said Lizzie, humouring her. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Not exactly that, either, replies Mrs. Chadband, humouring the joke with a hard-favoured smile. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She lived so close by that we had not time to have done humouring her for a few moments before she was at home. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She merely observed that he was perfectly good humoured and friendly. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- I'll tell you what, though; my lodger is so black-humoured and gloomy that I believe he'd as soon make that bargain as any other. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He has humoured me for good reasons. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- His countenance was thoroughly good-humoured; and his manners were as friendly as the style of his letter. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- Mr. Bagnet in the meantime has shaken hands with his old comrade and with Phil, on whom Mrs. Bagnet likewise bestows a good-humoured nod and smile. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He felt assured, after he had for awhile humoured her self-will, that in the end friendship and reason would gain the day. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- He inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
Checker: Ophelia