ppl. a. [f. LEER v.] That leers, or looks with side glances.
1546. J. Heywood, Prov. (1867), 57. My cats leeryng looke.
1598. Florio, Ital. Dict., To Rdr. A v b. There is another sort of leering curs, that rather snarle then bite.
1602. Rowlands, Greenes Ghost, 18. All the while he is telling his tale, he cast a leering eye about the shop, to see if there were euer a cloake … or anie other bootie.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Past., III. 13. We know … what the Goats observ’d with leering Eyes.
1746. Smollett, Reproof, 139. Behold the leering belle, caress’d by all.
1859. W. Collins, Q. of Hearts (1875), 49. I … managed to get between his leering eyes and the book-case.
Hence Leeringly adv.
1702. Bp. Nicolson, Lett. to Dr. Kennet, 9. He leeringly produces a Passage, wherein I maintain that [etc.].
1839. Thackeray, Major Gahagan, i. ‘How do you do?’ said the old hag leeringly.
