humor

hu•mor

[[t]ˈhyu mər[/t]] often [[t]ˈyu-[/t]] n.

1) a comic, absurd, or incongruous quality causing amusement

2) the faculty of perceiving and expressing or appreciating what is amusing or comical:

a writer with humor and zest[/ex]

3) an instance of being or attempting to be comical or amusing; something humorous

4) comical writing or talk in general; comical books, skits, plays, etc

5) mental disposition or temperament

6) a temporary mood or frame of mind:

in a sulky humor today[/ex]

7) a capricious or freakish inclination; whim or caprice; odd trait

8) phl any animal or plant fluid, esp. one of the body fluids once regarded as determining a person's constitution: blood, phlegm, black bile, or yellow bile

9) to comply with the humor or mood of in order to soothe, cheer up, etc.:

to humor a child[/ex]

10) to adapt or accommodate oneself to:

I'll humor your whim for now[/ex]

•

- out of humor

Also, esp. brit.,humour Etymology: 1300–50; ME (h)umour < AF < L (h)ūmor moisture, bodily fluid =(h)ūm(ēre) to be wet (cf. humid) +-ōr- -or I hu′mor•less, adj. hu′mor•less•ly, adv. hu′mor•less•ness, n. syn: humor, wit refer to an ability to perceive and express a sense of the clever or amusing. humor consists principally in the recognition and expression of incongruities or peculiarities present in a situation or character. It is frequently used to illustrate some fundamental absurdity in human nature or conduct, and is generally thought of as a kindly trait: a genial and mellow type of humor. wit is a purely intellectual, often spontaneous, manifestation of cleverness and quickness in discovering analogies between things really unlike, and expressing them in brief, diverting, and often sharp observations: biting wit.