[f. AMUSE v. + -ER1.] One who amuses.
† 1. One that puts people in a muse; that arrests or distracts attention, esp. with things trifling; that trifles with people’s attention or expectations; a trifler, deceiver, cheat. Obs.
1583. Whitgift, in Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. 153. I doubt not but your Lordship will judge those amusers to deserve just punishment.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 457. I take him [the musician] to be a great amuser of men in a small matter.
1611. Cotgr., Amuseur, an amuser of people; one that holdeth people at gaze, or putteth them into dumpes.
a. 1733. North, Examen, I. iii. ¶ 24 (1740), 137. The French are the greatest Amusers in the World. If Propositions are made which they resolve not to accept, they will not directly say so, but suspend.
1775. Ash, Amuser … one that deceives.
2. One that provides diversion; a diverter, entertainer.
1796. W. Taylor, in Month. Rev., XX. 382. The amusers of our leisure, the artists of our pleasures.
1841. Mann. & Cust. Japanese, 192. In their capacity of amusers, they indulge in extravagant buffoonery, rudeness, and impudence.
1864. Nat. Rev., in Bagehot, Lit. Stud. (1879), II. 136. Mere amusers are never respected.
