humor
UK[ˈhjuːmə(r)]US[ˈhjuːmər]
n
the quality of being amusing or comic
n
a mood or state of mind
v
comply with the wishes or ideas of (someone) in order to keep them content
Etymology
the word "humor" entered english in the 14th century from old french "humour," which itself derived from latin "humor," meaning "moisture" or "fluid." this latin term stems from the verb "humere," meaning "to be moist." in ancient and medieval medicine, it was believed that four principal bodily fluids, or "humors" (blood, phlegm, choler, and melancholy), determined a person's physical health and temperament. the modern abstract meanings evolved from this physiological theory: a person's prevailing "humor" came to signify their mood or disposition, and the sense of "comic quality" developed in the 16th century from the notion of whimsical or eccentric behavior attributed to an imbalance of these fluids.
Analysis
the word "humor" is a simplex loanword from latin, where it had the primary meaning of "fluid" or "moisture." it does not contain separable morphemes in its modern english spelling that correspond to distinct, meaningful units.
Examples
she has a great sense of humor and can always make me laugh.
he was in a foul humor after receiving the bad news.
she decided to humor her grandfather and listen to his story one more time.