(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If you ~ a surface with an oily or sticky substance or ~ the substance onto the surface, you spread a layer of the substance over the surface.
My sister ~ed herself with suntan oil and slept by the swimming pool...
Smear a little olive oil over the inside of the salad bowl.
VERB: V n with n, V n prep
2.
A ~ is a dirty or oily mark.
There was a ~ of gravy on his chin.
N-COUNT: oft N of n
3.
To ~ someone means to spread unpleasant and untrue rumours or accusations about them in order to damage their reputation. (JOURNALISM)
...an attempt to ~ the director-general of the BBC.
VERB: V n
4.
A ~ is an unpleasant and untrue rumour or accusation that is intended to damage someone’s reputation. (JOURNALISM)
He puts all the accusations down to a ~ campaign by his political opponents.
= slur
N-COUNT: oft N n
5.
A ~ or a ~ test is a medical test in which a few cells are taken from a woman’s cervix and examined to see if any cancer cells are present. (BRIT; in AM, use pap ~ , pap test )
N-COUNT