FLEER

fleer

(noun) contempt expressed by mockery in looks or words

fugitive, runaway, fleer

(noun) someone who flees from an uncongenial situation; “fugitives from the sweatshops”

fleer

(verb) to smirk contemptuously

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Verb

fleer (third-person singular simple present fleers, present participle fleering, simple past and past participle fleered)

(archaic) To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn

Synonyms: deride, sneer, mock, gibe, Thesaurus:deride

(archaic) To grin with an air of civility; to leer.

Synonyms: fligger, Thesaurus:to smile

Noun

fleer (uncountable)

(archaic) mockery; derision

Etymology 2

Noun

fleer (plural fleers)

one who flees

Anagrams

• Freel, refel

Source: Wiktionary


Fle"er, n.

Definition: One who flees. Ld. Berners.

Fleer, [imp. & p. p. Fleered (; p. pr. & vb. n. Fleering.] Etym: [OE. flerien; cf. Scot. fleyr, Norw. flira to titter, giggle, laugh at nothing, MHG. vlerre, vlarre, a wide wound.]

1. To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn; to deride; to sneer; to mock; to gibe; as, to fleer and flout. To fleer and scorn at our solemnity. Shak.

2. To grin with an air of civility; to leer. [Obs.] Grinning and fleering as though they went to a bear baiting. Latimer.

Fleer, v. t.

Definition: To mock; to flout at. Beau. & Fl.

Fleer, n.

1. A word or look of derision or mockery. And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorn. Shak.

2. A grin of civility; a leer. [Obs.] A sly, treacherous fleer on the face of deceivers. South.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

15 April 2025

DOOMED

(adjective) marked by or promising bad fortune; “their business venture was doomed from the start”; “an ill-fated business venture”; “an ill-starred romance”; “the unlucky prisoner was again put in irons”- W.H.Prescott


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Coffee Trivia

In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.

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