pər verb (used without object)
1.
to smile in a silly, self-conscious way.
verb (used with object)
2.
to say with a simper.
noun
3.
a silly, self-conscious smile.
Origin:
1555–65; akin to Middle Dutch zimperlijc, dialectal Danish simper affected, Danish sippe affected woman, orig. one who sips (see sip), a way of drinking thought to be affected
1555–65; akin to Middle Dutch zimperlijc, dialectal Danish simper affected, Danish sippe affected woman, orig. one who sips (see sip), a way of drinking thought to be affected
Related forms
sim·per·er, noun
sim·per·ing·ly, adverb
un·sim·per·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1, 3. smirk, snigger, snicker.
1, 3. smirk, snigger, snicker.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To simper
Collins
World English Dictionary
simper (ˈsɪmpə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (intr) to smile coyly, affectedly, or in a silly self-conscious way |
| 2. | (tr) to utter (something) in a simpering manner |
| —n | |
| 3. | a simpering smile; smirk |
| [C16: probably from Dutch simper affected] | |
| 'simperer | |
| —n | |
| 'simpering | |
| —adj, —n | |
| 'simperingly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Simper
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is petulant. Does it mean:
| moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance: |
| radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright; enlightened, as in a writer or a writer's works |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
simper
c.1563, perhaps from a Scand. source (e.g. dial. Dan. semper "affected, coy, prudish") or M.Du. zimperlijk "affected, coy, prim."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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