ppl. a. [f. SMIRK v.]
1. That smirks or smiles affectedīy; simpering. Said of persons, or their features.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., I. 430. Hine befran ða Decius mid smerciʓendum muðe.
c. 1510. Barclay, Mirr. Gd. Manners (1570), E v. Their smerking paynted chin.
1593. G. Harvey, Pierce’s Super., Wks. (Grosart), II. 7. Some smirking minions are fine fellowes in their owne heades.
1606. Drayton, Pastorals, Eglog, ix. I met a smerking bony lasse, They call her Daffadill.
1673. Humours Town, 39. This is the wondrous Mystery,—that Smirkin Monsieur wears so many badges of the Ladies Favours.
1753. Miss Collier, Art Torment., II. iii. (1811), 156. It is easy to guess, my dear, by your smirking countenance, who is expected to-day.
1815. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. Sutherl., I. 123. Grace, whose back was turned towards the smirking group, did not perceive this evolution.
1868. Miss Braddon, Dead-sea Fruit, I. vi. 100–1 A smirking young man pounced immediately upon the stranger.
2. Accompanied or characterized by, associated with, a smirk; affected.
1577–82. Breton, Toyes Idle Head, Wks. (Grosart), I. 37/1. The smyrking looke declares a merry minde.
1592. Greene, Disput., Address p. ii. What amorous glaunces, what smirking Oeyliades.
1676. Etheredge, Man of Mode, II. i. He ever had a notable smerking way with him.
1728. Young, Love of Fame, V. 513. Her grizzled locks assume a smirking grace.
1820. W. Irving, Sketch Bk., I. 160. The smirking commonplace of his countenance.
a. 1845. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Ser. III. Ho. Warming (1905), 477. With a sort of smirking, self-satisfied air.
† 3. Of wine, etc.: Sparkling. Obs.
1648. Herrick, Hesp., The Hock-Cart. If smirking Wine be wanting here, There’s that, which drowns all care, stout Beere.
