The word "amuse with" is spelled phonetically as /əˈmjuːz wɪð/. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound (ə), followed by the long vowel sound (uː) in the second syllable. The "w" in "with" serves as a semivowel, pronounced as /w/. The final syllable is pronounced with a voiced dental fricative /ð/. "Amuse with" means to entertain or cause someone to laugh or smile, and is commonly used in the context of jokes and comedic entertainment.
The phrase "amuse with" is a combination of the verb "amuse" and the preposition "with." The verb "amuse" refers to the act of entertaining, delighting, or providing enjoyment or pleasure to someone. This can be achieved through various means, such as by telling jokes, engaging in playful activities, or presenting interesting and diverting experiences or entertainment.
When used in conjunction with the preposition "with," "amuse with" indicates that the source or medium of the amusement is specified. It suggests that someone is being entertained or amused by a particular person, thing, or activity. It implies that the means or instrumentality used to provide amusement or entertainment is identified or specified in the context.
For example, one might say, "The clown amused the children with his tricks," which means that the clown provided entertainment and enjoyment to the children through his skillful and playful tricks. Alternatively, one could say, "She amused herself with a book," indicating that she found amusement and pleasure by engaging in the activity of reading a book.
In summary, "amuse with" suggests the act of entertaining or providing enjoyment to someone through a specific source, medium, or activity, emphasizing the means or instrumentality used to achieve amusement.
The word "amuse with" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words. However, we can look into the etymology of the individual words "amuse" and "with".
1. Amuse:
The word "amuse" originated from the French verb "amuser" in the 15th century, meaning "to divert or entertain". It derived from the Latin word "mūsum", which translates to "to cause to muse". In turn, this Latin word can be traced back to the Greek term "mūsáomai", meaning "to stand in meditation or to wonder".
2. With:
The word "with" has Old English origins and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*wið", meaning "against" or "toward". It is related to words like "against" in English and "mit" in German.