Middle English Dictionary Entry
smīlen v.
Entry Info
Forms | smīlen v. Also smile, smille(n; p. smiled(e, smillede, smilit, smilut, smild & (error) slymyt. |
Etymology | ?ON: cp. Norw., Swed. smila, Dan. smile; ?also cp. MLG (cp. MHG smielen). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To assume an expression of amusement or pleasure, smile; ~ at (of), smile at (sth.), be pleased or amused by (sth.); (b) to assume a pleasant, kindly expression; wear a smile; ~ among, exchange smiles; ~ on (toward), smile at (sb.); ppl. smilinge, smiling; also, of facial expression: pleasant; (c) to assume or wear an expression of ironic amusement or satisfaction, usu. because of secret knowledge; ~ in myself (upon himself), smile to myself (himself); ~ stille, smile to oneself; (d) to assume an expression of disbelief, scorn, or deception; (e) of Fortune: to look with favor, be favorable; also, seem favorable; ~ on (upon); falsli ~; (f) of the sea: to be peaceful; of wine: be smooth.
Associated quotations
a
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)452 : Wan O[lyuer] hym haueþ al itold, Fyrumbras gan to smyle.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4046 : This millere smyled of hir nycetee.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1639 : To smylen of this gan tho Troilus.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2123 : This lady smyleth at his stedefastnesse And at his hertely wordes and his chere.
- c1450(c1386) Chaucer LGW Prol.(1) (Benson-Robinson)498 : The god of Love gan smyle, and than he sayde, [etc.].
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)173/15 : Þis pope..sayde, 'Take here Godis body,' And þen she smylut.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)173/17 : Why smyleste þou?
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)2725 : When he lukyd ouer þe lynes, he smyllys [Ashm: laȝes] at hys wordes.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8096 : A gloue of þat gay gate he belyue..Hit pleaside hir priuely, playntyde he noght..slymyt [read: smylyt] þerat.
b
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)991 : Meliors ful mekliche to þat mayde carped, and seide ful soburli, smyland a litel, [etc.].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.388 : With a goodly lok sche [statue] smyleth.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.2684 : With sobre chier among thei smyle, For laghtre was ther non on hyh.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3507 : Þere one haþ smylyng semelaunt And behetyþ þe to holde cunnaunt, kepe þe þan fro losengrye.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)11509 : He..Ful swetely wiþ smylyng chere Bihelde þo ȝiftes riche & dere.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1452 : Þe kyng..goodly gan to smyle Toward Iason.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.3002 : She kepte hir clos a while And ful sadly gan on hym to smyle.
- a1425 HBk.GDei (Hnt HM 148)83/16 : Thynke how swethly þe childe one þaim smyllede.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)250 : Pelleus..spak to him with faire semblaund, With louely chere and speche smyland.
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)777 : Bawdewyn smylit and on him logh.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)395 : Þe bischop him beheld and smiled, 'What sees þou, my dere childe?'
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)998 : Dalton made devowte prayers & stille; with smylyng chere he seid, 'now do your wille.'
- a1500 Alex.-Cassamus (Cmb Ff.1.6)312 : Thanne ganne she here dresse, smylyng wommanly.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.1404 : Allee wiste wel ynowh, Wherof somdiel smylende he lowh.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.3012 : Achilles..upon himself to smyle Began.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.2958 : In my self y gan to smyle, Thenkende uppon the bedis blake.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1446 : This yeman gan a litel for to smyle.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1086 : His olde wyf lay smylyng euere mo.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12254 : Iesus..said, and þar-wit can he smile, 'A commament nu mak i here.'
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.505 : Pandarus a litel gan to smyle And seyde, 'By my trouthe, I shal yow telle.'
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1457 : Cassandre..gan first smyle and seyde, 'O brother deere, [etc.].'
- (1461) Paston (EETS)1.391 : The Kyng..smylyd and seyd þat suche a bylle there was.
- a1500(?a1400) KEdw.& S.(Cmb Ff.5.48)55 : Þen loogh oure Kyng and smyled stille, 'Þou onsweris me not at my will.'
- a1500 Degrev.(Cmb Ff.1.6)820 : Whan he syȝthe ful sare, Þe mayden gan smyle.
d
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2730,2731 : 'Þou sal haue barn in litel quile; thar þe noght in hethyng smylle'..'for soth, smild i noght.'
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.185 : Philip held him stille & bigan to smyle; Men sais þat comes of ille, & þinkyng som gile.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6966 : Dyamedes þo be-gan to smyle..'Bettre it were swiche wordes leue, And to wys counseil take bettre hede.'
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.194 : Troilus..wolde smyle and holden it folye.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.329 : Hymself to wrye, at hem he gan to smyle.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)1056 : Bifore the folk hem to bigilen, These losengeris hem preyse and smylen.
- a1425 PPl.A(1) (UC 45)5.93 : Smyle [Trin-C: And of his lesing I lauȝe..Ac of his wynnyng I wepe].
- a1450 St.Kath.(3) (Richardson 44)28 : The mayden smyled a lytel with hir mouth and seyde..'al ȝour disputing is in errour.'
- c1450 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Lamb 853)379 : Summe at me mowis, summe at me smylis, And counten me but a kynde caitif.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.2691 : Chepmen..loke full sobirlie and inward do smyle, With subtilte wordis to selle her cheffare.
- a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38)1788 : He at them can smyle..On eyther parte was gyle.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)29/215 : With gam & with gyle I shall smyte and smyle And qwite hym his mede.
e
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.24 : Sche [Fortune]..can blere a mannys eye And hym be-gyle..Ful falsly smyle & make hym þe mowe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4256 : Fortune falsly gan to smyle Vp-on Troyans & bad hem be merye.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.2004 : In a man is nat commendable, Ȝif Fortune..smyle on hym with a plesaunt chere..Ȝif he refuse his hap of wilfulnes.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.633 : Fortune..sodeinly change can her face, Smyle a-forn & mowen at þe bak.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4355 : Fortune..whilom wol on folk smyle, And glowmbe on hem another while.
f
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.616 : Þe se..Al-be þat it be blandyssinge a while, Þe dredful calm, þouȝ it be smoþe & smile, Þer is no trust þat it will long abide.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)11.390 : A man may..To [read: So] trete a stordy wyn that hit shal smyle, And of a rough drynker be cleer and best.