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

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
4. 1. Obsolete ointment
   2. a substance to be smeared on something

Etymology: ME smere < OE smeoru, grease