Also 7 flear, fleere. [f. FLEER v.]
1. A mocking look or speech; a sneer, a gibe; ‘mockery expressed either in words or looks’ (J.).
1604. Shaks., Oth., IV. i. 83.
| And marke the Fleeres, the Gybes and notable Scornes | |
| That dwell in euery Region of his face. |
1654. Fuller, Two Serm., 4. Christ trusted in God never a whit the lesse for the fleere and flout which their prophanenesse was pleased to bestow upon him.
1754. Foote, Knights, II. Wks. 1799, I. 84. None of your fleers! I am glad here’s a husband coming that will take you down.
1886. Miss Broughton, Dr. Cupid, II. i. 12. Perhaps there was some truth in Betty’s fleer, of her never having known any better company than that of the village apothecary.
† 2. ‘A deceitful grin of civility’ (J.). Obs.
1681. D’Urfey, Progr. Honesty, xiv. 61.
| Ambition in his Face does plain appear | |
| Through its thin Veil, a sly Phanatick fleer. |
1688. South, Serm., Falshood (1737), I. xii. 468. He shall generally spy such false Lines, and such a sly, treacherous Fleer upon their Face.
1727. Swift, To Stella, 45.
| Ambition, avarice, and lust, | |
| A factious rage, and breach of trust, | |
| And flattery tipt with nauseous fleer, | |
| And guilty shame, and servile fear. |
b. nonce-use. In good sense: A cheerful look, a smile.
1866. Carlyle, Remin. (1881), I. 71. A tallish man of rugged countenance, which broke out oftenest into some innocent fleer of merriment, or readiness to be merry when you addressed him, was a prudent, honest-hearted, rational person, but made no pretension to superior gifts of mind, though he too, perhaps, may have had such in its undeveloped form.
