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smear

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Smear is defined as to cover or mark with something dirty or messy, or to harm the reputation of a person.

(verb)

An example of smear is to rub peanut butter all over the face.
An example of smear is to say something uncomplimentary about someone that will hurt their reputation.

The definition of a smear is a dirty marking, messy stain or a smudge, or the act of saying or doing something to harm someone's reputation.

(noun)

An example of a smear is a spot of grape jelly on a shirt.
An example of a smear is to tell the media that a public official is taking bribes.

See smear in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to cover, daub, or soil with something greasy, sticky, or dirty
to apply or daub (something greasy, sticky, or dirty) so as to leave a coating, mark, etc.
to make an unwanted mark or streak on, or to obscure, by rubbing: to smear a wet signature
to make a smear with: to smear one's hand across a surface
to harm the reputation of; malign; slander
Slang to overwhelm or defeat decisively

Origin: ME smerien < OE smerian, to anoint, akin to Ger schmieren < IE base *smeru-, grease > OIr smir, marrow & (prob.) L medulla, marrow

intransitive verb

to be or become smeared

noun

a spot or mark made by smearing
a small quantity of some substance, as blood, smeared on a slide for microscopic study, etc.
the act or an instance of smearing, or slandering, someone
1. Obsolete ointment
2. a substance to be smeared on something

Origin: ME smere < OE smeoru, grease

See smear in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb smeared, smear·ing, smears

verb, transitive

a. To spread or daub with a sticky, greasy, or dirty substance.
b. To apply by spreading or daubing: smeared suntan lotion on my face and arms.
To stain by or as if by spreading or daubing with a sticky, greasy, or dirty substance.
To stain or attempt to destroy the reputation of; vilify: political enemies who smeared his name.
Slang To defeat utterly; smash.

verb, intransitive

To be or become stained or dirtied.

noun

A mark made by smearing; a spot or blot.
A substance to be spread on a surface.
Biology A sample, as of blood or bacterial cells, spread on a slide for microscopic examination or on the surface of a culture medium.
a. Vilification or slander.
b. A vilifying or slanderous remark.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English smeren, to anoint

Origin: , from Old English smerian

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