SIMPER

simper

(noun) a silly self-conscious smile

smirk, simper

(verb) smile affectedly or derisively

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

simper (third-person singular simple present simpers, present participle simpering, simple past and past participle simpered)

(intransitive) To smile in a foolish, frivolous, self-conscious, coy, or smug manner.

(obsolete) To glimmer; to twinkle.

Noun

simper (plural simpers)

A foolish, frivolous, self-conscious, or affected smile; a smirk.

Anagrams

• Primes, emirps, misper, primes

Source: Wiktionary

Sim"per, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Simpered; p. pr. & vb. n. Simpering.] Etym: [Cf. Norw. semper fine, smart, dial. Dan. semper, simper, affected, coy, prudish, OSw. semper one who affectedly refrains from eating, Sw. sipp finical, prim, LG. sipp.]

1. To smile in a silly, affected, or conceited manner. Behold yond simpering dame. Shak. With a made countenance about her mouth, between simpering and smiling. ir. P. Sidney.

2. To glimmer; to twinkle. [Obs.] Yet can I mark how stars above Simper and shine. Herbert.

Sim"per, n.

Definition: A constrained, self-conscious smile; an affected, silly smile; a smirk. The conscious simper, and the jealous leer. Pope.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition