Simper
/ˈsɪm.pər/noun
To smile in a coy, affected, or self-conscious way.
Did you know?English likely formed *simper* as an expressive, imitative word, and its older sense could imply a weak, silly, or insincere smile rather than a warm one.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
simperen
“To smile or laugh in a thin, affected, or foolish way”
Early Modern English
English
simper
“To smile coyly or insincerely”
Modern English
English
simper
“To smile in a restrained, self-conscious, or affected way”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*smey-
“To smile, laugh, or grin”