▪ I. ˈsimpering, vbl. n.1
[f. simper v.1 + -ing1.]
Simmering.
| 1477 Norton Ordin. Alch. iv. in Ashm. (1652) 46 To know of the simperinge of our Stone. 1598 Florio, Cremore,..the creame or simpring of milke when it seethes. |
▪ II. ˈsimpering, vbl. n.2
[f. simper v.2 + -ing1.]
The action of the verb; an instance of this.
| 1582 Stanyhurst æneis, etc. (Arb.) 141 Her look's, her simpring, her woords with curtesye sweetning. 1596 Nashe Saffron Walden Wks. (Grosart) III. 103 Some little coy bridling of the chin, and nice simpring and wrything his face 30. waies. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, Church-Porch xxi, Simpring is but a lay-hypocrisie. 1675 Traherne Chr. Ethics 314 Without which humility is but baseness,..modesty but simpering, devotion but hypocrisie. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) II. xx. 140 My mother's hand was kindly put into his, with a simpering altogether bridal. 1780 F. Burney Diary May, We were now not content with simpering, for we could not forbear downright laughing. 1894 Forum July 584 [Co-education] takes the simpering out of the girls—the roughness out of the men. |
▪ III. ˈsimpering, ppl. a.
[f. simper v.2 + -ing2.]
1. That simpers or smiles affectedly. Said of persons or their features. Also transf.
| 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary i. (1595) 70 Then is she..a simpring puppet to woonder on. 1602 Dekker Satirom. Wks. 1873 I. 185 These pretty, simpring, setting things, call'd brides. 1648 Herrick Hesper., To Anthea lying in bed, Like to a Twi-light, or that simpring Dawn, That Roses shew, when misted o're with Lawn. 1768 Goldsm. Good-n. Man Epil., His simpering friends, with pleasure in their eyes, Sink as he sinks. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia i. v, Young ladies dwindle into mere listeners, simpering listeners, I confess. 1826 Polwhele Trad. & Recoll. I. ii. 29 A pretty silly simpering girl..was dazzled by his wit. 1877 Bryant Wind & Stream iii, The simpering stream, The fond, delighted, silly stream. |
2. Accompanied by or associated with simpering; mincing, affected.
| 1595 T. P. Goodwine Blanchardine ii. (1890) 216 Pacing toward the Queene with a simpering smile, neither presaging mirth nor mourning. 1626 Middleton Women Beware Women iii. ii, I had rather hear one ballad sung..Than all these simpering tunes. 1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 156 The man walks with a proud and simpring pace. 1712 W. King Little Mouths 20 Betty, with bridled chin, extends her face, And then contracts her lips with simpering grace. 1862 Thackeray Round. Papers, Notch on Axe 253, I went on meanly conversing with him, and affecting a simpering confidence. 1865 Livingstone Zambesi 503 It is no simpering smile. |