(adj) expressive of contempt, Syn. sneering, snide, Example:curled his lip in a supercilious smile; spoke in a sneering jeering manner; makes many a sharp comparison but never a mean or snide one
(adj) having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy; ; ; ; ; ; ; - W.L.Shirer, Syn. sniffy, supercilious, lordly, imperious, prideful, swaggering, overbearing, haughty, Example:some economists are disdainful of their colleagues in other social disciplines; haughty aristocrats; his lordly manners were offensive; walked with a prideful swagger; very sniffy about breaches of etiquette; his mother eyed my clothes with a supercilious air; a more swaggering mood than usual
(adv) with a sneer; in an uncomplimentary sneering manner, Syn. superciliously, snidely, Example:`I don't believe in these customs, ' he said sneeringly
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
a. [ L. superciliosus, fr. supercilium an eyebrow, pride; super over, + cilium an eyelid; probably akin to celare to conceal. Cf. Conceal. ] Lofty with pride; haughty; dictatorial; overbearing; arrogant; as, a supercilious officer; asupercilious air; supercilious behavior. -- Su`per*cil"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Su`per*cil"i*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]