Displaying intense happiness and pride through a broad, radiant smile that seems to emit joy like rays of light. Describes visible manifestation of deep contentment or satisfaction.
From Old English 'beam' (tree, ray of light). The emotional meaning emerged from the metaphor of light radiating outward, as a happy face seems to send out rays of joy like the sun beaming light.
A genuine 'beaming' smile activates over 40 facial muscles and triggers mirror neurons in observers, literally spreading happiness from person to person - it's one of the few emotions that's genuinely contagious through visual contact alone!
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