Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sardonic
Sar-don′ic
,Adj.
[F.
sardonique
, L. sardonius
, Gr. [GREEK], [GREEK], perhaps fr. [GREEK] to grin like a dog, or from a certain plant of Sardinia
, Gr. [GREEK], which was said to screw up the face of the eater.] Forced; unnatural; insincere; hence, derisive, mocking, malignant, or bitterly sarcastic; – applied only to a laugh, smile, or some facial semblance of gayety.
Where strained,
And grief is forced to laugh against her will.
sardonic
smiles are glozing still,And grief is forced to laugh against her will.
Sir H. Wotton.
The scornful, ferocious,
sardonic
grin of a bloody ruffian. Burke.
Sardonic grin
or Sardonic laugh
an old medical term for a spasmodic affection of the muscles of the face, giving it an appearance of laughter.
Sar-don′ic
,Adj.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a kind of linen made at Colchis.