scoff´ing|ly

scoff´ing|ly
scoff1 «skf, skof», verb, noun.
–v.i.
to make fun to show one does not believe something; mock: »

We scoffed at the idea of drowning in three inches of water. Fools, who came to scoff, remain'd to pray(Oliver Goldsmith).

–v.t.
to jeer at; deride: »

He…scoff'd their easy fears (Robert Southey).

╂[< noun]
–n.
1. mocking words or acts: »

With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts (Shakespeare).

2. something ridiculed or mocked: »

The principles of liberty were the scoff of every grinning courtier (Macaulay).

╂[< Scandinavian (compare Danish skuffe to deceive, earlier, to mock, ridicule, fool < Middle Low German schoven deceive)]
–scoff´er, noun.
–scoff´ing|ly, adverb.
Synonym Study intransitive verb. Scoff, jeer, sneer mean to show scorn or contempt for someone or something. Scoff implies scornful irreverence or cynicism: »

He scoffs at religion.

Jeer implies mocking laughter: »

The mob jeered when the speaker got up to talk.

Sneer means to express ill-natured contempt or disparagement by look, tone, or manner of speech: »

He sneers at everything sentimental.

scoff2 «skf, skof», noun, verb. Slang.
–n.
food; a meal.
–v.t., v.i.
to eat heavily.
╂[< Afrikaans scoff < Dutch schoft a meal]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • scoff — scoff·er; scoff; scoff·ing·ly; …   English syllables

  • scoff´er — scoff1 «skf, skof», verb, noun. –v.i. to make fun to show one does not believe something; mock: »We scoffed at the idea of drowning in three inches of water. Fools, who came to scoff, remain d to pray(Oliver Goldsmith). –v.t. to jeer at; deride:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • scoff — I [[t]skɔf, skɒf[/t]] v. i. 1) to speak derisively; mock; jeer (often fol. by at) 2) to mock at; deride 3) an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn 4) an object of mockery or derision • Etymology: 1300–50; ME (n., v.); cf.… …   From formal English to slang

  • ing — aborn·ing; aw·ing; bear·ing; be·ing; bell·ing; berth·ing; bind·ing; boul·der·ing; brok·ing; brown·ing; cheese·par·ing; cleans·ing; clos·ing; con·cern·ing; con·sid·er·ing; cop·ing; cov·er·ing; crack·ing; crown·ing; duck·ing; dur·ing; en·dur·ing;… …   English syllables

  • jeer´ing|ly — jeer «jihr», verb, noun. –v.i. to make fun in a rude or unkind way; scoff; mock: »Do not jeer at the mistakes or misfortunes of others. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under scoff. (Cf. ↑scoff) –v.t. to speak to or treat with scornful derision; de …   Useful english dictionary

  • flout´ing|ly — flout «flowt», verb, noun. –v.t. to treat with contempt or scorn; mock; scoff at: »The foolish boy flouted his mother s advice. SYNONYM(S): taunt. –v.i. to show contempt or scorn; mock; scoff: »Ah, you may flout and turn up your faces (Robert… …   Useful english dictionary

  • scout´ing|ly — scout1 «skowt», noun, verb. –n. 1. a) a person sent to find out what the enemy is doing. A scout wears a uniform; a spy does not. b) a warship, airplane, or other thing used to find out what the enemy is doing. 2. a person who is sent out to get… …   Useful english dictionary

  • scoffingly — scoff·ing·ly …   English syllables

  • Scoffingly — Scoff ing*ly, adv. In a scoffing manner. Broome. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • derision — n 1. ridicule, mockery, sarcasm, scoff ing; scorn, disdain, contempt, disrespect, cheek; lampoon, satire, parody, burlesque; pasquinade, pasquil, travesty, caricature. 2. jeer, jibe, fleer, raillery, chaff, Inf. roast; poke, dig, cut, rub; boo,… …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”