1. n., v., & adv.
--n.
1. a sharp slap or blow esp. with the palm of the hand or a flat object.
2 a hard hit at cricket etc.
3 a loud kiss (gave her a hearty smack).
4 a loud sharp sound (heard the smack as it hit the floor).
--v.
1. tr. strike with the open hand etc.
2 tr. part (one's lips) noisily in eager anticipation or enjoyment of food or another delight.
3 tr. crack (a whip).
4 tr. & intr. move, hit, etc., with a smack.
--adv. colloq.
1. with a smack.
2 suddenly; directly; violently (landed smack on my desk).
3 exactly (hit it smack in the centre).
Phrases and idioms:
have a smack at colloq. make an attempt, attack, etc., at. a smack in the eye (or face) colloq. a rebuff; a setback.
Etymology: MDu. smack(en) of imit. orig. 2. v. & n. (foll. by of)
--v.intr.
1. have a flavour of; taste of (smacked of garlic).
2 suggest the presence or effects of (it smacks of nepotism).
--n.
1. a flavour; a taste that suggests the presence of something.
2 (in a person's character etc.) a barely discernible quality (just a smack of superciliousness).
3 (in food etc.) a very small amount (add a smack of ginger).
Etymology: OE sm{aelig}c 3. n. a single-masted sailing-boat for coasting or fishing.
Etymology: Du. smak f. earlier smacke; orig. unkn. 4. n. sl. a hard drug, esp. heroin, sold or used illegally.
Etymology: prob. alt. of Yiddish schmeck sniff