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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Smear

Smēar, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SMEARED; p. pr. & vb. n. SMEARING.] [A-S. smerewian, smerian, smirian, smyrigan, from smeru, fat, grease; L. Ger. & D. smeren, Icel. smyria, Sw. smörja, Dan. smöre, O. H. Ger. smerwan, smeran, smirian, N. H. Ger. schmieren.]

Sense 1. To overspread with any thing unctuous, viscous, or adhesive; to besmear; to daub; as, to smear any thing with oil.

Smear the sleepy grooms with blood. Shak.

Sense 2. To soil; to contaminate; to pollute; as, smeared with infamy.

Smēar, n.

noun

n. [A-S. smeru, fat, grease; O. H. Ger. smero, O. Sax. smer, O. Fries. smere, I. Ger. & D. smeer, Icel. smör, Sw. & Dan. smör, H. Ger. schmeer, Goth. smairthr.]

  1. A fat, oily substance; ointment. [Rare.]
  2. Hence, a spot made by an unctuous or adhesive substance, or as if by such a substance; a blot or blotch; a patch; a daub; a stain.

Slow broke the morn, All damp and rolling vapor, with no sun, But in its place a moving smear of light. A. Smith.