fleer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
    fugitive; runaway.
    • fugitives from the sweatshops
  2. noun contempt expressed by mockery in looks or words
  3. verb to smirk contemptuously

WordNet

Fle"er noun
Definitions
  1. One who flees. Ld. Berners.
Fleer
Etymology
OE. flerien; cf. Scot. fleyr, Norw. flira to titter, giggle, laugh at nothing, MHG. vlerre, vlarre, a wide wound.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Fleered ; present participle & verbal noun Fleering
Definitions
  1. To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn; to deride; to sneer; to mock; to gibe; as, to fleer and flout.
    To fleer and scorn at our solemnity. Shak.
  2. To grin with an air of civility; to leer. Obs.
    Grinning and fleering as though they went to a bear baiting. Latimer.
Fleer transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To mock; to flout at. Beau. & Fl.

Webster 1913