Also 6 smyle, 7 Sc. smyl. [f. SMILE v. Cf. MHG. smiel, Da., Sw., Norw. smil (NFris. smiil, from Da.).]
1. An act of smiling; a slight and more or less involuntary movement of the countenance expressive of pleasure, amusement, affection, etc., or of amused contempt, disdain, incredulity, or similar emotion.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 78. Better is the last smyle, than the fyrst laughter.
1591. Nashe, Pref. Sidney’s Astr. & Stella, in G. G. Smith, Eliz. Crit. Ess., II. 228. I will leaue you to … offer your smiles on the Aulters of Venus.
1621. Quarles, Div. Poems, Esther (1638), 105. Where are thy maiden-smiles, thy blushing cheeke?
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 239. This sweet intercourse Of looks and smiles.
1717. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett., II. xliv. 20. Every smile is waited for with impatience and envied by those who cannot obtain it.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, I. vii. 198. St. Aubert gave him a friendly smile for his compliment.
1842. Borrow, Bible in Spain (1843), I. xiii. 267. The duke was all smiles and courtesy.
1875. Grindon, Life, xiv. 173. There are more smiles in the world than there are tears.
b. transf. and fig.
1589. Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 23. To see if the Continent were as full of smiles, as the seas were of fauours.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. iv. 187. Me thought I stood not in the smile of Heauen.
1727. Dyer, Grongar Hill, 82. Transient is the smile of Fate.
1757. Gray, Bard, 82. Fell Thirst and Famine scowl A baleful smile.
1814. Scott, Lord of Isles, V. vi. The sun … Now tinged them with a parting smile. Ibid. (1831), Cast. Dang., xi. A knight, who … was poor in worldly goods, and in the smiles of fortune.
1859. Tennyson, Marriage of Geraint, 350. Turn, Fortune, turn thy wheel with smile or frown.
c. Const. of (some quality, feeling, etc.).
1779. Mirror, No. 64. 256. I discovered a smile of satisfaction in the countenances of most of the guests.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, III. xi. 397. Where he was surrounded with plenty, elegance and smiles of welcome.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xxx. At this moment another smile of deep meaning passed between Dalzell and Claverhouse.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xx. Beyond the first smile of recognition.
1859. Habits of Gd. Society, vii. 246. I never yet saw a smile of pity or sympathy on his face.
2. colloq. A drink, esp. of whisky. Orig. U.S.
1859. Bartlett, Dict. Amer. (ed. 2), 420. Smile. A drink, dram.
188[?]. G. H. Kingsley, Sport & Trav. (1900), vi. 186. You just take a ‘smile’ of the real, old, blue-grass Bourbon.
1889. J. K. Jerome, Three Men in Boat, ii. 28. Harris … proposed that we should go out and have a smile.
3. Comb., as smile-covering, -frowning, -peopled, -tuned, -wreathed adjs.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Sonn., i. Wks. (Grosart), II. 50. Eyes cloudy-clear, smile-frowning, stormy-calm.
1817. Shelley, Rev. Islam, II. xxxiv. The tranquil strength which cradled lay In her smile-peopled rest.
1825. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. Sutherl., I. 123. A consequent smile-covering frown from the young lady.
c. 1845. Mrs. Browning, An Island, xxv. Yea, soon, no consonant unsmooth Our smile-tuned lips shall reach.
1895. in Westm. Gaz., 12 June, 7/3. His sparkling eyes and smile-wreathed face telling of the zest with which the novelty was enjoyed.
