A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1460-1512, 1569-1605
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Smirk, Smyrk(e, v. [ME and e.m.E. smirk(en (a1225), smerke (1523), OE sme(a)rcian.] To smile, in later use, ingratiatingly, simperingly or knowingly. Also const. on a person.(1) c1460 Thewis Gud Women 166.
Kep hir in kirk To kek abak, to lauch or smyrke 1460 Hay Alex. 1065.
He … comptit him all his tale … With that the king smirkit ane litill wee 1460 Hay Alex. 2183. a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitland Folio MS 51/78.
Scorning I hait ȝit man I smyle and smyrk Quhen I the mokkis of vther men behald a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1065 (Wr.) (see Smirtle v.).
Smirking(2) c1460 Thewis Wysmen 336.
With mekil langag but mesure Smyrkand one euery creature c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 113.
Quhen the smy one me smyrkis
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"Smirk v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/smirk_v>
