fleer

[fleer] Origin

fleer

1[fleer]
verb (used without object)
1.
to grin or laugh coarsely or mockingly.
verb (used with object)
2.
to mock or deride.

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Fleer is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
chat, to converse
to bark; yelp.
noun
3.
a fleering look; a jeer or gibe.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English flerien (v.) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian flire a grin

fleer·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged

fle·er

2[flee-er]
noun
a person who flees.

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English; see flee, -er1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To fleer
Collins
World English Dictionary
flee1 (fliː)
 
vb , flees, fleeing, fled
1.  to run away from (a place, danger, etc); fly: to flee the country
2.  (intr) to run or move quickly; rush; speed: she fled to the door
 
[Old English flēon; related to Old Frisian fliā, Old High German fliohan, Gothic thliuhan]
 
'fleer1
 
n

fleer (flɪə)
 
vb
1.  to grin or laugh at; scoff; sneer
 
n
2.  a derisory glance or grin
 
[C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian flire to snigger]
 
'fleeringly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

fleer
c.1400, perhaps from Scand. (cf. dial. Norw. flira, dial. Dan. flire "to grin, titter").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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