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sneering |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Sneer \Sneer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sneered}; p. pr & vb n. {Sneering}.] [OE. sneren, Dan. sn?rre to snarl or grin (like a dog); cf Prov. E. sneer to grin, sner to snort, snert to sneer at See {Snore}, v. i.] 1. To show contempt by turning up the nose, or by a particular facial expression. 2. To inssinuate contempt by a covert expression; to speak derisively. I could be content to be a little sneared at --Pope. 3. To show mirth awkwardly. [R.] --Tatler. Syn: To scoff; gibe; jeer. Usage: {Sneer}, {Scoff}, {Jeer}. The verb to sneer implies to cast contempt indirectly or by covert expressions. To jeer is stronger, and denotes the use of several sarcastic reflections. To scoff is stronger still implying the use of insolent mockery and derision. And sneers as learnedly as they Like females o'er their morning tea. --Swift. Midas, exposed to all their jeers, Had lost his art, and kept his ears. --Swift. The fop, with learning at defiance, Scoffs at the pedant and science. --Gay. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: sneering adj : expressive of contempt; "curled his lip in a supercilious smile"; "spoke in a sneering jeering manner"; "makes many a sharp comparison but never a mean or snide one" [syn: {supercilious}, {snide}] n 1: a contemptuous or scornful remark [syn: {sneer}] 2: a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls [syn: {sneer}, {leer}]
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