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fleer

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fleer

1[fleer]
–verb (used without object)
1. to grin or laugh coarsely or mockingly.
–verb (used with object)
2. to mock or deride.
–noun
3. a fleering look; a jeer or gibe.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME flerien (v.) < Scand; cf. Norw flire a grin


fleer⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

fle⋅er

2[flee-er]
–noun
a person who flees.

Origin:
1325–75; ME; see flee, -er 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fleer
flee   (flē)   
v.   fled (flěd), flee·ing, flees

v.   intr.
  1. To run away, as from trouble or danger: fled from the house into the night.

  2. To pass swiftly away; vanish: "of time fleeing beneath him" (William Faulkner).

v.   tr.
To run away from: flee the scene of an accident.

[Middle English flen, from Old English flēon; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.]
fle'er n.
fleer   (flîr)   
intr.v.   fleered, fleer·ing, fleers
To smirk or laugh in contempt or derision.
n.  A taunting, scoffing, or derisive look or gibe.

[Middle English flerien, of Scandinavian origin.]
fleer'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

fleer  (v.)
c.1400, perhaps from Scand. (cf. dial. Norw. flira, dial. Dan. flire "to grin, titter").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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