I. ˈsim-pər verb
( sim·pered ; sim·per·ing -p(ə-)riŋ)
Etymology: akin to Middle Dutch zimperlijc elegant, Danish dialect simper affected, coy
Date: circa 1563
intransitive verb
: to smile in a silly manner
transitive verb
: to say with a simper
simper ed an apology
• sim·per·er -pər-ər noun
II. noun
Date: 1599
: a silly smile : smirk