Also 6 smyrke, 6–7 smirke. [app. f. SMIRK v.; but perh. partly suggested by SMICKER a.]
A. adj. 1. Neat, trim, spruce in dress or appearance; pleasant, agreeable. Also U.S., smug. Now chiefly dial.
a. 1530. Heywood, Love (Brandl), 349. I am at one poynt with women all, The smotest, the smyrkest, the smallest [etc.].
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Feb., 72. Seest, howe brag yond Bullocke beares, So smirke, so smoothe, his pricked eares?
1598. Florio, Trisciato, smooth, vp-straight, smug, smirke, handsomlie drest vp.
1614. J. Davies (Heref.), Ecl. betw. Yng. Willie & Old W., 159. Thy past’rall Minstralsy Beating the aire, atweene resounding Hils, Draw to thee Bonibels as smirke, as hy.
1648. Herrick, Hesp., Nuptial Song Sir C. Crew, vii. The smirk Butler thinks it Sin, in’s Nap’rie, not to express his wit.
1791. J. Learmont, Poems, 43. Shaws whilk road is best to follow Fu’ sweet an’ smirk.
1847. Halliw., Smirk, neat; trim. Oxon.
1873. ‘Ouida,’ Pascarèl, II. 246. Italy cannot be trim and smirk in modern wise and modern gear.
† 2. Of mental faculties: Quick, ready, smart.
1607. Walkington, Opt. Glass, xii. 66 b. A nimble dextericall, smirke, prægnant, extemporary inuention. Ibid., 42. A smirke, quick & dextericall wit.
† 3. Eager, ardent. Obs.–1
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 129. According as the begetter is hotter and smirker, or cold and listlesser.
† B. adv. Smirkingly. Obs.–1
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & Fly, xii. 13. Wherat the spider, smirke, and smothlie smiled.
