■ verb
1》 coat or mark with a greasy or sticky substance.
↘spread (a greasy or sticky substance) over a surface.
↘blur or smudge.
2》 damage the reputation of (someone) by false or unwarranted accusations.
■ noun
1》 a greasy or sticky mark.
2》 a false or unwarranted accusation.
3》 a sample thinly spread on a microscopic slide.
↘ Brit. short for ~ test .
4》 Climbing an insecure foothold.
Derivatives
~er noun
~y adjective
Origin
OE smierwan (v.), smeoru 'ointment, grease', of Gmc origin.