smirklev.
Scottish.
intransitive. To smirk or smile.The noun smirkle is also illustrated by Jamieson (1825).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > smiling > smile [verb (intransitive)] > simper or smirk
smirkc888
simper1546
smirkle?c1590
smirtlea1650
smicker1802
the world > action or operation > behaviour > affected behaviour or affectation > be affected or act affectedly [verb (intransitive)] > use affected posture or gesture > expression > smile
smirkc888
simper1546
smirkle?c1590
smirtlea1650
smilesmirk1922
?c1590 Knox's Hist. Ref. iv. (Wodrow) II. 409 As this wes said, Ledingtoun smyleit [MS. G. smyrklit], and spak secreitlie to the Quene in hir eare.
1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 19 The friskier for the flytin', they Gaffaw and smirkle in their play.
1839 T. Chalmers Let. in W. Hanna Mem. T. Chalmers (1850) IV. 74 The minister I saw smiling and smerkling, in his own characteristic way, at the more ludicrous passages.
Derivatives
ˈsmirkling adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > smiling > [adjective] > simpering or smirking
smirking?1518
simpering1546
smirkling1597
smirky1835
the world > action or operation > behaviour > affected behaviour or affectation > [adjective] > affected in looks or gestures > smiling affectedly
smirkingc1000
simpering1546
smirkling1597
smirkish1674
smirkya1758
smickering1930
1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae (ed. 2) 925 Experience then smyrkling smyld.
18.. Lord Dunwaters iii, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1890) IV. vii. 117 He gave a smirkling smile.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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v.?c1590