noun
courteous laughter; forced laughter; polite smile
Refers to laughter or a smile that is socially expected rather than spontaneous, often in formal or service contexts. Can imply insincerity or effort.
彼女は巧笑を浮かべて客を迎えた。
She greeted the customers with a courteous smile.
上司のつまらない冗談に、巧笑で応じた。
I responded to my boss's boring joke with forced laughter.
Compound of 巧 (skillful, clever) and 笑 (laugh, smile). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is used in literary and formal contexts to describe a deliberate, socially appropriate smile or laughter.