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smear definition

smear (smir)

transitive verb

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

Etymology: 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

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

Etymology: ME smere < OE smeoru, grease

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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