half-smilen.
/ˌhɑːfˈsmʌɪl/, /ˈhɑːfsmʌɪl/, U.S. /ˌhæfˈsmaɪl/, /ˈhæfˌsmaɪl/ A slight or subtle smile, frequently suggesting insincerity or the disguising of true feelings. Cf. half adj. 3c.
ΘΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > smiling > [noun] > a smile > other types of smile
smilet1591
beam1773
sun-smile1808
a wan smile1877
shit-eating grin1956
shit-eating grin1990
1653 F. G. tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Artamenes I. iv. ii. 269 Let him enjoy that rest in his death.., and think (said she with a half smile) [Fr. en sous-riant à demy] that the jealousie of Otanus has not been my only punishment.
1725 E. Haywood Mem. Certain Island I. 190 You Men, resum'd the Lady, with a half Smile, as you are easily flatter'd, so you are also easily dejected.
1789 W. Maclay Jrnl. 11 May (1890) 30 He will..dimple his visage with the most silly kind of half smile which I can not well express in English.
1850 tr. G. Rosini Nun of Monza II. xiv. 284 She forced her lips into a half smile, which, in reality, was put on to mask her heart's anguish.
1882 H. Campbell Under Green Apple Boughs xii. 141 The subtle half-smile, very sweet, but perplexing, as the smile of Leonardo's Mona Lisa, haunted her.
1915 E. Ferber Emma McChesney & Co. v. 154 She had listened patiently enough... But on her lips was the maddening half-smile of one whose rebuttal is ready.
1980 Washington Post 16 Mar. k1/1 ‘I could save Chrysler if I had to,’ he says, his half-smile becoming a playful taunt.
2014 A. LeBor Washington Stratagem i. 14 ‘Are you OK?’ she asked. Her voice was full of concern but a triumphant half smile played on her lips.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2022).
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n.1653