n. 1. A scornful facial expression characterized by a slight raising of one corner of the upper lip. 2. A scornful tone or statement. v. sneered, sneer·ing, sneers v.intr. 1. To assume a scornful or derisive facial expression. 2. To speak in a scornful or derisive manner. v.tr. To utter with a sneer or in a sneering manner. [From Middle English sneren, to mock, alteration of Old English fnǣran, to breathe heavily; see pneu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] sneerer n. sneerful, sneery adj. sneering·ly adv. |
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