SMUDGE


Meaning of SMUDGE in English

I. ˈsməj verb

( smudged ; smudg·ing )

Etymology: Middle English smogen

Date: 15th century

transitive verb

1.

a. : to make a smudge on

b. : to soil as if by smudging

2.

a. : to rub, daub, or wipe in a smeary manner

b. : to make indistinct : blur

smudged the writing

3. : to smoke or protect by means of a smudge

intransitive verb

1. : to make a smudge

2. : to become smudged

II. noun

Date: circa 1774

1.

a. : a blurry spot or streak

b. : an immaterial stain

cleanse him of every last smudge of impropriety — Richard Hanser

c. : an indistinct mass : blur

2. : a smoldering mass placed on the windward side (as to protect from frost)

3. : a bid of four in pitch that if made wins the game

• smudg·i·ly ˈsmə-jə-lē adverb

• smudg·i·ness ˈsmə-jē-nəs noun

• smudgy -jē adjective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.