subrident, adj.

[‘ Characterized by or accompanied by a smile or smiles; wearing a smile; smiling.']

Pronunciation: Brit. /səˈbrʌɪd(ə)nt/,  U.S. /səˈbraɪdnt/

Etymology: <  classical Latin /subrīdent-, /subrīdēns, present participle of subrīdēre to smile (see subride v.).

 Chiefly literary. Now rare.

  Characterized by or accompanied by a smile or smiles; wearing a smile; smiling.

1826 /Sporting Mag./ Dec. 132/1 A knowing and subrident look.

1884 /Critic/ 22 Nov. 243/2 The Duke of Wellington..listens, mildly subrident, while the Peace Recruiting Sergeant..plies his profession.

1897 /Athenæum/ 6 Mar. 305/2 With some subrident joy.

1914  W. J. Locke /Fortunate Youth/ vi. 80 Your sense of humour, that delicate percipience of proportion, that subrident check on impulse.

1980  P. Howard /Words fail Me/ vi. 44 The lion was presumably depicted heraldically subrident.

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