smirking, ppl. a.
(ˈsmɜːkɪŋ)
[f. smirk v.]
1. That smirks or smiles affectedly; simpering. Said of persons, or their features.
| c 1000 ælfric Hom. I. 430 Hine befran ða Decius mid smerciᵹendum muðe. c 1510 Barclay Mirr. Gd. Manners (1570) E v, Their smerking paynted chin. 1593 Harvey Pierce's Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 7 Some smirking minions are fine fellowes in their owne heades. 1606 Drayton Pastorals, Eglog ix, I met a smerking bony lasse, They call her Daffadill. 1673 Humours Town 39 This is the wondrous Mystery,—that Smirkin Monsieur wears so many badges of the Ladies Favours. 1753 J. Collier Art Torment. ii. iii. (1811) 156 It is easy to guess, my dear, by your smirking countenance, who is expected to-day. 1825 Hook Sayings Ser. ii. Sutherl. i. 123 Grace, whose back was turned towards the smirking group, did not perceive this evolution. 1868 M. E. Braddon Dead Sea Fr. vi, A smirking young man pounced immediately upon the stranger. |
2. Accompanied or characterized by, associated with, a smirk; affected.
| 1577–82 Breton Toyes Idle Head Wks. (Grosart) I. 37/1 The smyrking looke declares a merry minde. 1592 Greene Disput. Address p. ii, What amorous glaunces, what smirking Oeyliades. 1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode ii. i, He ever had a notable smerking way with him. 1728 Young Love of Fame v. 513 Her grizzled locks assume a smirking grace. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 160 The smirking commonplace of his countenance. a 1845 Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. iii. Ho. Warming (1905) 477 With a sort of smirking, self-satisfied air. |
† 3. Of wine, etc.: Sparkling. Obs.
| 1648 Herrick Hesp., The Hock-Cart, If smirking Wine be wanting here, There's that, which drowns all care, stout Beere. |