humour

plural humours · alternative US humor

1. UKuncountableusuallyThe quality of being amusing, comical, funny.First known use the early 18th c.

   She has a great sense of humour, and I always laugh a lot whenever we get together.

   5 more examples

   The sensitive subject was treated with humour, but in such way that no one was offended.

   "I gathered that you might not be altogether sorry to see me. So"—with a reassuring laugh—"here I am." A mild amusement at the possible humours of the situation characterised his manner.

   1934, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], The Bravo of London

   Merry VVhitefoord, farevvel! for thy ſake I admit / That a Scot may have humour, I had almoſt ſaid vvit: […]

   1774, [Oliver] Goldsmith, “Postscript”, in Retaliation: A Poem. […], 5th edition, London: […] G[eorge] Kearsly, […], →OCLC, page 22

   A great deal of excellent humour was expended on the perplexities of mine host.

   1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], Tales of a Traveller, (please specify |part=1 to 4), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea, […], →OCLC

   They stayed together during three dances, went out on to the terrace, explored wherever they were permitted to explore, paid two visits to the buffet, and enjoyed themselves much in the same way as if they had been school-children surreptitiously breaking loose from an assembly of grown-ups. The boy became volubly friendly and bubbling over with unexpected humour and high spirits.

   1909 September 9, Archibald Marshall [pseudonym; Arthur Hammond Marshall], “A Court Ball”, in The Squire’s Daughter, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC, page 9

   Synonyms: amusingness, comedy, comicality, wit, comedy, wit, witticism

2. UKuncountableusuallyA mood, especially a bad mood; a temporary state of mind or disposition brought upon by an event; an abrupt illogical inclination or whim.

   He was in a particularly vile humour that afternoon.

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   I like not the humour of lying.

   c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

   King James, as he was a Prince of great Judgment, ſo he was a Prince of a marvellous pleaſant humour; […]

   a. 1627 (date written), Francis Bacon, “[Baconiana Politico-Moralia. […].] Certain Apothegms of the Lord Bacon’s, hitherto Unpublished. [Apophthegm 10.]”, in [Thomas Tenison], editor, Baconiana. Or Certain Genuine Remains of Sr. Francis Bacon, […], London: […] J. D. for Richard Chiswell, […], published 1679, →OCLC, page 55

   Examine how your humour is inclined, / And which the ruling passion of your mind.

   1684, Lord Roscommon, Essay on Translated Verse

   Is my friend all perfection, all virtue and discretion? Has he not humours to be endured?

   1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London

   ([I]t was the town's humour to be always gassing of phantom investors who were likely to come any moment and pay a thousand prices for everything)—“[…]Them rich fellers, they don't make no bad breaks with their money.[…]”

   1899, Stephen Crane, chapter 1, in Twelve O'Clock

   Synonyms: mood

3. UKarchaichistoricaluncountableusuallyAny of the fluids in an animal body, especially the four "cardinal humours" of blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm that were believed to control the health and mood of the human body.

   For some days a fistula lacrymalis had come into my left eye, which discharged an humour, when pressed, that portended danger.

   1763, Antoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz, History of Louisisana (PG), (tr. 1774) page 42

   2 more examples

   A humour is a liquid or fluent part of the body, comprehended in it, for the preservation of it; and is either innate or born with us, or adventitious and acquisite.

   1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC

   The cause is a temperate conglutination ; for both bodies are clammy and viscous , and do bridle the deflux of humours to the hurts , without penning them in too much

   1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “VII. Century.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: bodily fluid

4. UKuncountableusuallymedicineEither of the two regions of liquid within the eyeball, the aqueous humour and vitreous humour.
5. UKobsoleteuncountableusuallyMoist vapour, moisture.

present singular third person humours · participle present humouring · participle past humoured · past humoured · alternative US humor

1. UKtransitiveTo pacify by indulging.

   I know you don't believe my story, but humour me for a minute and imagine it to be true.