transitive verb smote, smitten smit′·ten or smote, smiting smit′·ing

1. Now Rare
   1. to hit or strike hard
   2. to bring into a specified condition by or as by a blow to smite someone dead
   3. to defeat, punish, destroy, or kill
2. to strike or attack with powerful or disastrous effect
3. to affect strongly and suddenly: with some feeling smitten with dread
4. to disquiet mentally; distress smitten by conscience
5. to strike or impress favorably; inspire with love smitten with her charms

Etymology: ME smiten < OE smitan, akin to Ger schmeissen, to throw < IE base *smē-, to smear, smear on, stroke on

intransitive verb