humour
Definitions
The quality of being amusing or funny; the ability to find or express what is funny.
幽默，诙谐；觉得或表达好笑的能力。
A person's state of mind or mood at a particular time.
（一时的）心情，情绪。
To go along with someone's wishes to keep them content; to indulge.
迁就，纵容（以使某人满意）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin humēre 'to be moist' → humor 'a bodily fluid.' Medieval medicine held that four humors (fluids) set your temperament; being 'in good humor' meant balanced fluids. The fluid sense faded into 'mood,' then narrowed to the funny kind of mood. humour is the British spelling of humor.
Root hum still carries 46 more wordsWhy It Means This
The 'moist' branch of the root. Latin humēre meant 'to be wet'; a humor was a bodily fluid. Old medicine taught that blood, phlegm and the two biles — the four humors — had to stay balanced or your mood went wrong. 'In a good humor' literally described balanced fluids. The medical theory died but the word survived, drifting from 'fluid' to 'mood' to today's 'sense of fun.'
Usage Guide
Spelling: humour (British) / humor (American); same word. The verb sense ('humor a child,' 'just humor me') is common in speech and means 'go along with someone to keep them happy,' not 'be funny.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
She has a wonderful sense of humour and makes everyone laugh.
- 2.
He was in a good humour all morning.
- 3.
Just humour me and read the first page.