Smear (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smeared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Smearing.] [OE. smeren, smerien, AS. smierwan, smyrwan, fr. smeoru fat, grease; akin to D. smeren, OHG. smirwen, G. schmieren, Icel. smyrja to anoint. See Smear, n.]

1.

To overspread with anything unctuous, viscous, or adhesive; to daub; as, to smear anything with oil.

"Smear the sleepy grooms with blood."

Shak.

2.

To soil in any way; to contaminate; to pollute; to stain morally; as, to be smeared with infamy.

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Smear, n. [OE. smere,. smeoru fat, grease; akin to D. smeer, G. schmeer, OHG. smero, Icel. smjor, Sw. & Dan. smor butter, Goth. sma�xa1;rr fatness, smarna dung; cf. Lith. smarsas fat. Cf. Smirch.]

1.

A fat, oily substance; oinment.

Johnson.

2.

Hence, a spot made by, or as by, an unctuous or adhesive substance; a blot or blotch; a daub; a stain.

Slow broke the morn, All damp and rolling vapor, with no sun, But in its place a moving smear of light. Alexander Smith.

 

© Webster 1913.