† smereadv.
Obsolete.
to laugh smere, to laugh lightly, merrily, or contemptuously.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > deride, ridicule, or mock [verb (intransitive)] > laugh derisively
to laugh smerec1275
fleerc1440
teehee1580
deride1619
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > laugh in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > laugh lightly or merrily
to laugh smerec1275
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 14981 Þane king hit þohte game inoh, for hire speche he smere loh.
c1290 Childhood Jesus 984 in Horstmann Altengl. Leg. (1875) 34 His Moder..gret Joye hadde and louȝ smere a non.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) 386 Þe Sarzyn gan to lawe smere, & to Olyuer sayde þan [etc.].
a1400 S. Eng. Leg. (Bodl. 779) in Herrig Archiv 82 409/22 Sysin þo for gladnesse gan to leyȝe wel smere.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.c1275