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smite definition

smite (smīt)

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

Now Rare to hit or strike hard

Related Forms:

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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