simper

• POS: Noun, Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: sim=per

CIDE DICTIONARY

simper, v. i. [Cf. Norw. semper fine, smart, dial. Dan. semper, simper, affected, coy, prudish, OSw. semper one who affectedly refrains from eating, Sw. sipp finical, prim, LG. sipp.].

•  To smile in a silly, affected, or conceited manner.  [1913 Webster]

  "Behold yond simpering dame."  [1913 Webster]

  "With a made countenance about her mouth, between simpering and smiling."  [1913 Webster]
•  To glimmer; to twinkle.  [1913 Webster]

  "Yet can I mark how stars above
  Simper and shine."  [1913 Webster]

simper, n. 

 A constrained, self-conscious smile; an affected, silly smile; a smirk.  [1913 Webster]
"The conscious simper, and the jealous leer."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

simper, v. & n.
--v.
1 intr. smile in a silly or affected way.
2 tr. express by or with simpering.
--n. such a smile.

Derivative

simperingly adv.

Etymology

16th c.: cf. Du. and Scand. semper, simper, G zimp(f)er elegant, delicate

THESAURUS

simper

affected, beam, bridle, bright smile, broad grin, crack a smile, ear-to-ear grin, gleaming smile, glowing smile, grin, grinning, idiotic grin, mince, mince it, prink, sardonic grin, self-conscious, smile, smile brightly, smiling, smirk, stupid grin, toothful grin, vapid

ROGET THESAURUS

simper

Rejoicing

N rejoicing, exultation, triumph, jubilation, heyday, flush, revelling, merrymaking, jubilee, paean, Te Deum, congratulation, smile, simper, smirk, grin, broad grin, sardonic grin, laughter (amusement), risibility, derision, Momus, Democritus the Abderite, rollicker, rejoicing, jubilant, exultant, triumphant, flushed, elated, pleased, delighted, tickled pink, amused, cheerful, laughable, Int, hurrah!, Huzza!, aha!, hail!, tolderolloll!, Heaven be praised!, io triumphe!, tant mieux!, so much the better, the heart leaping with joy, ce n'est pas etre bien aise que de rire, Laughter holding both his sides, le roi est mort, vive le roi, with his eyes in flood with laughter.

Amusement

VB amuse, entertain, divert, enliven, tickle the fancy, titillate, raise a smile, put in good humor, cause laughter, create laughter, occasion laughter, raise laughter, excite laughter, produce laughter, convulse with laughter, set the table in a roar, be the death of one, recreate, solace, cheer, rejoice, please, interest, treat, regale, amuse oneself, game, play a game, play pranks, play tricks, sport, disport, toy, wanton, revel, junket, feast, carouse, banquet, make merry, drown care, drive dull care away, frolic, gambol, frisk, romp, caper, dance, keep up the ball, run a rig, sow one's wild oats, have one's fling, take one's pleasure, paint the town red, see life, desipere in loco, play the fool, make holiday, keep holiday, go a Maying, while away the time, beguile the time, kill time, dally, smile, simper, smirk, grin, grin like a Cheshire cat, mock, laugh in one's sleeve, laugh, laugh outright, giggle, titter, snigger, crow, snicker, chuckle, cackle, burst out, burst into a fit of laughter, shout, split, roar, shake one's sides, split one's sides, hold both one's sides, roar with laughter, die with laughter.

Affectation

VB affect, act a part, put on, give oneself airs, boast, coquet, simper, mince, attitudinize, pose, flirt a fan, overact, overdo.