[f. SMIRK v.]
1. An affected or simpering smile; a silly, conceited, smiling look.
c. 1560. Ingelend, Disobedient Child, in Hazl., Dodsley, II. 297. How many smirks and dulsome kisses!
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., V. iii. Palinode, From Spanish shrugs, French faces, smirks, irpes, and all affected humours.
1675. Wycherley, Country Wife, IV. i. He has the canonical smirk, and the filthy clammy palm of a chaplain.
1718. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett., II. liv. 81. A jolly face, and a stupid smirk in his countenance.
1782. Miss Burney, Cecilia, V. i. He was regarding her with a facetious smirk.
1814. Scott, Wav., lxi. Fortunately the bride, all smirk and blush, had just entered the room.
1882. Miss Braddon, Mt. Royal, III. viii. 164. ‘It is a poet’s privilege to worship the beautiful, Leo,’ said the Baron, with a self-satisfied smirk.
† 2. slang. (See quot.) Obs.–0
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Smirk, a finical, spruce Fellow.
