smay, v. Now dial.
(smeɪ)
[Aphetic for dismay v.1 or esmay v.]
intr. To shrink, to flinch; to feel disinclined, etc. Hence ˈsmaying vbl. n.
| 1632 Holland Cyrupædia 8 But Cyrus,..not smaying at all,..readily came upon him againe with a reply. 1667 P. Henry Diaries & Lett. (1882) 205 He was of a strong healthy constitution, not smaying for cold in school, like other children, as his master hath told me. 1678 Bp. Croft Second Call 30 Men in Duels..receive deadly wounds one after another without any smaying, as if they felt them not. 1841– in Cheshire and Shropshire glossaries. |