fligger

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “Is it related to fleer?”)

• IPA^(key): /ˈflɪɡə/
• Rhymes: -ɪɡə(ɹ)

fligger (third-person singular simple present fliggers, present participle fliggering, simple past and past participle fliggered)

1. (obsolete) To sneer.
   • 1628, Nathaniel Whiting, Le Hore di Recreatione: or, The Pleasant Historie of Albino and Bellama:

     Then Nature has with beauty, more with scorne,
     That they must fligger, scoffe, deride, and jeere,
     Appoynt their servants certaine houres t' appeare.

2. (obsolete) To grin.
   • 1720, Thomas d'Urfey, “Tom Tinker”, in Wit and Mirth, or Pills to Purge Melancholy, volume 6, page 267:

     I met with a Barber with Razor and Balls,
     He fligger'd and told me for all my brave alls;
     He would have a stroke, and his words they were blunt,
     I could not deny him the use of my—

• (sneer): deride, jeer, scoff; see also Thesaurus:deride
• (grin): smile; see also Thesaurus:to smile

• friggle