simper
UK /ˈsɪmpə/ · US /ˈsɪmpɚ/ verb, noun, proper noun
Forms simpers simpering simpered
- verb (intransitive) To smile in a foolish, frivolous, self-conscious, coy, obsequious, or smug manner.
- verb (obsolete) To glimmer; to twinkle.
- noun A foolish, frivolous, self-conscious, or affected smile; a smirk.
- proper noun A surname.
Synonyms
Etymology
Uncertain; compare (probably from) Danish simper / semper (“coy”), German zimper (“elegant, dainty”).
Variant of Semper.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To smile in a silly, affected, or conceited manner.
- verb To glimmer; to twinkle. [Obs.]
- noun A constrained, self-conscious smile; an affected, silly smile; a smirk.
Etymology [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.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “simper”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details