smaɪl v. & n. --v. 1 intr.
relax the features
into a pleased or kind or gently
sceptical expression or a forced
imitation of
these, usu.
with the lips parted
and the corners of the
mouth turned
up. 2 tr. express by smiling (smiled
their consent). 3 tr.
give (a smile) of a specified kind (smiled a
sardonic smile). 4 intr. (foll. by
on, upon)
adopt a
favourable attitude towards;
encourage (fortune smiled on me). 5 intr.
have a
bright or favourable
aspect (the smiling countryside). 6 tr. (foll. by away)
drive (a person's
anger etc.)
away (smiled their tears away). 7 intr. (foll. by at) a
ridicule or
show indifference to (smiled at my
feeble attempts). b
favour; smile on. 8 tr. (foll. by into,
out of)
bring (a person) into or out of a specified mood etc. by smiling (smiled
them into agreement). --n. 1 the
act or an
instance of smiling. 2 a smiling expression or aspect. øcome up smiling colloq.
recover from adversity and cheerfully
face what is to
come. øøsmileless adj. smiler n. smiley adj. smilingly adv. [ME perh. f. Scand., rel. to
SMIRK:
cf. OHG smilenter]