A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Smil(e, Smyl(e, v. Also: smill, smyll(e. [ME and e.m.E. smylle (Cursor M.), smyle (Manning), smile (1560), ? MLG *smîlen, cf. OHG smîlan, Da., NFris. smile.] intr.
1. To smile, to show pleasure, scorn, etc. by smiling. Also transf. and fig.a1400 Leg. S. xxi 378.
That ald can smyle & sad [etc.] ?1438 Alex. ii 3817.
Cassamus smylit with lufsum cheir a1500 Rauf C. 711.
The King preuilie smylit Quhen he saw that bald a1500 Seven S. 1970.
I may nother syng nor smyle a1500 Prestis of Peblis 485.
Smyld c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xlviii 36.
With that this lady sobirly did smyll a1540 Freiris Berw. 166 (M).
With that sche smylit wounder suttellie 1549 Compl. 153/25.
He smylit and leuch, and changit his coller in glaydnes 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4534.
The knicht … smylit for scorne that sa occurrit the cace 1558-66 Knox II 409.
As this wes said Ledingtoun smyleit [MS G. smyrklit] and spak secreitlie to the Quene in hir eare a1578 Pitsc. I 32/4.
The king began to smylle quhair throw thay vndir stude the king to be content of thair cuming a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 26.
The kingis grace … smylit and leuch a lytill 1604-31 Craig i 8.
I smild, to see [etc.] c1610 Melville Mem. 61.
Wherat the Lard of Grange began to smyll and the king till enquyre wherat he leuchtransf. and fig. 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 209.
Fy on dissait and fals dissymulans Contrar to kynd with fenȝeit cheir smylyng 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 104.
Soft gresy verdour eftir balmy schowris On curland stalkis smylyng to thar flowris 1581 Sempill in Sat. P. xliii 13.
With the one eye sho [sc. Fortune] can lauch and smyle, And with the vther lurke and play the loun
2. a. To look at, on, til (a person) with a smile; to acknowledge one's pleasure or satisfaction to (at) oneself, or another by smiling.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxv 337.
Thane til hyme smyland scho sad a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1126.
Sanct Machor als that [= at] thaim can smyll a1585 Maitl. Q. 210/50.
Or that ane mouth so modest & plesand Sould smyll on him(2) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2382.
Ȝit at the last he findis furth ane wyle Than at him selff softlie couth he smyle
b. fig. To look on, upon (one, one's interests) with favour.1375 Barb. xiii 637.
Lo quhat fading in fortoun is That will apon a man quhill smyle And prik on him syne a nothyr quhill c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 218 (M).
Fayr calling did oft vpon me smyle And cherissing me fed with wourdis fayr 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1619.
Bot vertewis men I trest sall on me smyle And of my cuming be richt weill content 1655 Lamont Diary 89.
Desyring that the Lord wold auert his wrath and yet smylle gratiouslie on his inheritance 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 250.
At that time the Court seemed to smill vpon him
c. To smile at (a cause for amusement).a1400 Leg. S. xviii 509.
Ȝone ȝonge man … At myn fule speke smylit in hy c1475 Wall. xi 1384.
Than Wallace smyld [a] litill at his langage
