Final answer:
The term 'facetious' means humorous and not meant to be taken seriously, often laced with sarcasm. It is clarified by the definition clue following it, which is a technique that helps explain a term.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word facetious describes a form of humor that is amusing and not meant to be taken seriously, often characterized by sarcasm or witty remarks. The definition clue is indicated by the phrase 'or sarcastic and cleverly amusing' which provides a synonymous explanation immediately after the unfamiliar word, helping to clarify its meaning. This is a common technique in writing, known as an appositive, where a noun or phrase is followed by another noun or phrase that explains it.
Examples of a facetious attitude could include responding to a serious question with a humorous answer that is obviously not meant to be taken literally. It's similar to when Shakespeare uses double entendres in his works, where a character might say one thing but mean something else with a clever or humorous twist, like Hamlet's use of the word 'sun/son' in his dialogue with Claudius.