\A*muse"\ ([.a]*m[=u]z"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amused}
([.a]*m[=u]zd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Amusing}.] [F. amuser to
make stay, to detain, to amuse, [`a] (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.]
         Camillus set upon the Gauls when they were amused in
         receiving their gold.                 --Holland.
         Being amused with grief, fear, and fright, he could
         not find the house.                   --Fuller.
2. To entertain or occupy in a pleasant manner; to stir with
   pleasing or mirthful emotions; to divert.
         A group of children amusing themselves with pushing
         stones from the top [of the cliff], and watching as
         they plunged into the lake.           --Gilpin.
3. To keep in expectation; to beguile; to delude.
         He amused his followers with idle promises.
                                               --Johnson.
Syn: To entertain; gratify; please; divert; beguile; deceive;
     occupy.
Usage: 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.
             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.

\A*muse"\, v. i.
To muse; to mediate. [Obs.]