smile

1. The act of smiling; a peculiar change or brightening of the face, which expresses pleasure, moderate joy, mirth, approbation, or kindness; opposed to frown. "Sweet intercourse Of looks and smiles: for smiles from reason flow." (Milton)

2. A somewhat similar expression of countenance, indicative of satisfaction combined with malevolent feelings, as contempt, scorn, etc; as, a scornful smile.

3. Favor; countenance; propitiousness; as, the smiles of Providence. "The smile of heaven."

4. Gay or joyous appearance; as, the smiles of spring. "The brightness of their [the flowers'] smile was gone." (Bryant)

Origin: CF. Dan. Smiil, Sw. Smil. See Smile.

Source: Websters Dictionary

(01 Mar 1998)


Terms mentioned in text: smiling, peculiar, change, face, expresses, pleasure, intercourse, looks, reason, flow, milton, similar, expression, indicative, malevolent, feelings, favor, providence, heaven, gay, appearance, spring, brightness, bryant
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