smackn.1
/smak/, U.S. /smæk/ I. A taste, tinge, or suggestion.† 2. Scent, odour, smell. Obsolete.
1. † c. Pleasant or agreeable taste or relish. Obsolete.
a. A taste or flavour; the distinctive or peculiar taste of something, or a special flavour distinguishable from this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > [noun]
smacka1000
savour?c1225
relesec1330
tastea1382
sentimentc1400
smatchc1400
taragec1407
tangc1440
weffec1440
tallage14..
sapor1477
verdurea1513
verdour1526
relish1530
verder1532
gustc1540
waft1542
smacker1549
talent1550
tack1602
tache1607
tincture1610
twang1611
foretaster1632
flavour1693
gusto1713
goût1751
saporosity1794
gustativeness1827
savouring1840
sipidity1880
palate1973
a1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 225 Dulcis sapor, i. dulcis odor, swete smæc.
c1050 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 455 Nectar,..þone swetan smæc.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14294 Swa summ þeȝȝ waterr wærenn. Off wikke smacc.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1653 Forr witt. & skill iss wel inoh Þurrh salltess smacc bitacnedd.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 112 Þet is kynges mete huerinne byeþ ech manyere lykinges and alle guode smackes.
a1400 Stockh. Medical MS. ii. 608 in Anglia XVIII. 322 Of hennebane arn spycys iij..Alle wyll sauour an hidhows smak.
a1505 R. Henryson Sum Pract. Med. 60 in Poems (1981) 181 It wilbe the softar and sweittar of the smak.
a1550 in R. Dyboski Songs, Carols & Other Misc. Poems (1908) 128 Thowgh peper be blak, it hath a good smak.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball ii. lxxxv. 263 The leaues..are of a very strong and pleasant sauour, and good smacke or taste.
1606 J. Carpenter Schelomonocham xxviii. f. 118 Those vessels will long retaine and yeeld the smack of that liquor which was in them first steeped.
1676 J. Evelyn Philos. Disc. Earth 117 Every Plant has a smack of the Root.
1710 T. Fuller Pharmacopœia Extemporanea 1 Midling Ale..that hath no burnt, musty, or otherwise ill smack.
1763 C. Churchill Rosciad in Poems I. 24 And Boniface, disgrac'd, betrays the smack..of Falstaff's sack.
1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 21 It possesses a dull, acidulous, offensive smack, and an empyreumatic smell.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 245 And now, for perfume, pour Distilment rare,..Till beverage obtained the fancied smack.
b. figurative or in figurative context.
ΚΠ
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 177 Efterward me ssel lete þane smak of zenne.
1593 in Lyly's Wks. (1902) III. 451 Experience bids me..champe the bridle of a bitter smacke.
1690 J. Dryden Amphitryon i. i. 2 He's constant to an handsom Family: He knows when they have a good smack with 'em.
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. xiii. 25 There are works of all tastes and smacks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > savouriness > [noun] > relish
smack1573
relish1599
gust1649
hogo1653
zest1704
zing1956
1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 55v Least doue & the cadow, there finding a smack: with stormie il weather, do perish thy stack.
1600 C. Tourneur Transformed Metamorph. sig. B8 If this sweet sinne still feedes him with her smacke.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [noun]
smacka1000
breathOE
smella1175
irea1300
weffea1300
thefa1325
relesec1330
odour?c1335
incensea1340
flair1340
savoura1350
smellingc1386
flavourc1400
fumec1400
reflairc1400
air?a1439
scent?1473
taste?c1475
verdure1520
senteur1601
waft1611
effluvium1656
fluor1671
burning scent1681
aura1732
fumet1735
snuff1763
olfacient1822
odouret1825
waff1827
gush1841
sniff1844
tang1858
nose1894
a1000 [see sense 1a].
c1250 Owl & Night. 823 Þenne is þes hundes smel fordo; he not þurh þe meynde smak hweþer he schal vorþ þe abak.
1549 E. Allen tr. L. Juda Paraphr. Reuelacion S. John f. 19, in M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II A cat of ye mountayne.., whiche with her smacke and savour, draweth many beastes unto her.
3. 1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany (ed. 2) II. 75 Graceful poems—not the less attractive for a slight smack of the workshop.1874 F. C. Burnand My Time xxix. 280 A smack of real earnestness in his tone.† b. A slight or superficial knowledge; a smattering. Chiefly in to have a smack of, at, or in something. Obsolete.
a. transferred. A trace, tinge, or suggestion of something specified.Common c1570–1680, and in modern use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > a slight touch or trace
specec1330
taste1390
lisounc1400
savourc1400
smatcha1500
smell?a1505
spice1531
smack1539
shadow1586
surmise1586
relish1590
tang1593
touch1597
stain1609
tincture1612
dasha1616
soula1616
twanga1640
whiff1644
haut-goût1650
casta1661
stricturea1672
tinge1736
tinct1752
vestige1756
smattering1764
soupçon1766
smutch1776
shade1791
suspicion1809
lineament1811
trait1815
tint1817
trace1827
skiff1839
spicing1844
smudgea1871
ghost1887
1539 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 173 To powre in som smak of the pure lernying of Cristes doctrine amonges them.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 138v Whatsoeuer commeth of an olde stocke, hath lightly a smack of his olde parentes imperfection.
1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus ii. vi Good faith, the boy begins to haue an elegant smack of my stile.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. viii. 181 The others were suspected to have a smack of the Imperiall faction.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 233/1 The Orcadians..use the Gothish Language, which they derive from the Norwegians,..of whose qualities they still have a smack.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > superficial knowledge > have slight knowledge [verb (intransitive)]
smatter1530
to have a smack of, at, or in1551
superficialize1656
(a)
(b)1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 62v Whereby hee may..haue in all sciences a smacke [printed smcake], whereby he maye readily dispute of any thing.1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iii. i He hath also a smacke in poetry.1679 ‘M. Mason’ Tickler Tickled 2 For Padge hath a Smack at Latin, but let them English it that will.1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Aiiv If it be one that hath a lytell smacke of learnynge.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. 143 Bycause they haue some petie smak of their booke.
a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe (1903) ii. v. 229 Hauing gott a smacke of the grownds of our lawe.
c1692 J. Coad Mem. Wonderful Provid. (1849) 104 A very young man..who had got a smack of the Latin tongue.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. ii. 64 I learned a smack of boxing of that Englishman.
c. A mere tasting, a small quantity, of liquor; a mouthful. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount
speckc725
littleOE
somethingc1200
lutewihtc1230
little whatc1384
ouncec1387
lap1393
smalla1400
modicumc1400
nekedc1400
spota1413
tinec1420
nieveful?a1425
handfulc1443
mouthful?c1450
smatchc1456
weec1480
quern1503
halfpennyworth1533
groatsworth1562
dram1566
shellful1578
trickle1580
snatch1592
sprinkling1594
fleck1598
snip1598
pittance1600
lick1603
fingerful1604
modicum1606
thimbleful1607
flash1614
dasha1616
pipa1616
pickle1629
drachm1635
cue1654
smack1693
starn1720
bit1753
kenning1787
minikin1787
tate1805
starnie1808
sprat1815
harl1821
skerrick1825
smallums1828
huckleberry1832
scrimp1840
thimble1841
smite1843
nattering1859
sensation1859
spurt1859
pauchlea1870
mention1891
sketch1894
sputterings1894
scrappet1901
titch1937
tad1940
skosh1959
smattering1973
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [noun] > a drink of > small drink
snack1685
smack1693
drop1699
tiff1727
toothfula1774
caulker1808
caulk1834
nobbler1842
spot1917
1693 J. Dryden tr. Persius Satires iv. 50 He 'says the Wimble, often draws it back, And deals to thirsty Servants but a smack.
1759 J. Townley High Life below Stairs ii. 40 He has had a Smack of every Sort of Wine.
1766 C. Anstey New Bath Guide (ed. 2) Epil. iii. 135 May I venture to give Her a Smack of my Muse?
1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller I. 18 A relish of the Marquis's well-known kitchen, and a smack of his superior Champagne and Burgundy.
1865 J. Hatton Bitter Sweets iii We'll just have one smack of the liquor before you're off to Helswick.
d. A touch or suggestion of something having a characteristic odour or taste.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [noun] > slight
smack1846
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) vii. 61 There was a smack of stabling in the air of Princess's Place.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Silverado Squatters ii. ii. 72 A rough smack of resin was in the air.
1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxi. 320 A gentle breeze, sweet with the smack of the country.
II. The faculty of taste; inclination.† 4. † b. figurative. Delight or enjoyment; inclination, relish. Chiefly in phrases. Obsolete.
a. The sense or faculty of taste. Obsolete.So Old Frisian smek, German (ge)schmack, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > [noun] > sense of taste
smacka1200
smatcha1200
smatching?c1225
swallow1340
swallowing1340
tastec1380
toothc1386
palatea1398
chewinga1400
savouringc1405
gustc1430
tallage1557
relish1605
a1200 Vices & Virtues 17 Ȝesihthe, ȝeherhþe, smac, and smell, and tactþe.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > [noun] > relish
smack1340
relisha1591
taste1604
zest1758
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 33 He..to-ualþ ine þa slacnesse þet he ne heþ smak, ne deuocion, wel to done.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Piii So quyckelye they haue taken a smacke in couetesenes.
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 105v Philautus had taken such a smack in ye good entertainment.
1609 Euerie Woman in her Humor ii. i I haue no appetite at all to live in the countrie.., now, as they say, I have got a smacke on the Cittie.
1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote iii. I. xi. 231 She hath a very great Smack of Courtship, and plays with every one.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
smackn.2
/smak/, U.S. /smæk/ 1. in extended use.1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. ii. viii. 297 Bestowing such hearty smacks upon the bottle, as to empty it very shortly.
a. A sharp noise or sound made by separating the lips quickly, esp. in kissing, and in tasting or anticipating food or liquor.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [noun] > sound of kiss or smacking of lips
smick-smack?1550
smack1570
smacking1628
poppism1653
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > [noun] > eating noisily
smack1570
slurp1949
slup1952
slurping1960
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Aii/2 Ye Smack of a kisse, suauium.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iii. iii. 51 Hee..kist her lips with such a clamorous smacke, that at the parting all the Church did eccho. View more context for this quotation
1680 J. Dryden Kind Keeper i. i. 3 She has a notable Smack with her! I believe Zeal first taught the Art of Kissing close.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 508. ⁋3 Tasting the Wine with a judicious Smack.
1739 ‘R. Bull’ tr. F. Dedekind Grobianus 142 The Dogs may lick it with a sav'ry Smack.
1838 D. Jerrold Men of Char. (1851) 10 She..gave me such a salute, a team two fields away went gallop off at the smack.
1878 R. Browning Two Poets of Croisic in La Saisiaz & Two Poets of Croisic 116 With smack of lip, and long-drawn sigh through teeth Close clenched o'er satisfaction.
b. A loud or sounding kiss.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > kiss > [noun] > loud or sounding kiss
smack1604
smacker1775
1604 T. Middleton Blacke Bk. in Wks. (1885) VIII. 24 The slave..bussed the bawd for joy: when presently I left them in the midst of their wicked smack.
1651 J. Cleveland Poems (Wing C4684) 2 Love prints her Signets in her smacks, Those Ruddy drops of squeezing wax.
1729 J. Gay Polly ii. ix. 44 Come, noble captain, take one hearty smack upon her lips, and then steer off.
1786 A. M. Bennett Juvenile Indiscretions I. 97 Giving the females first a warm smack round.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 39 ‘Whisht! whisht! gudewife,’ said her husband, with a smack that had much more affection than ceremony in it.
2. The crack of a whip, lash, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [noun] > crack or snap > of whip
yark1555
whip-cracking1775
smack1781
whip-crack1893
1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 519 Thy soldiery..Were train'd beneath his lash, and knew the smack.
1803 tr. G. C. A. Pigault-Lebrun Monsieur Botte II. 10 Five or six smacks of a whip roused their attention.
1825 Sporting Mag. 17 36 Old coachmen..like a smack of the whip.
1901 Daily Express 28 Feb. 6/7 At the first swishing smack of the lash.
3.
a. A sounding blow delivered with the flat of the hand or something having a flat surface; a slap.Also figurative. a smack in the face, a sharp rebuff; a smack in the eye.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > blow struck with an object or instrument > with something flat
clap?14..
patc1425
skelpc1440
plata1522
slat1611
slapping1632
slap1648
flop1662
smack1775
smacker1775
skelping1818
spat1823
spatting1840
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [noun] > a denial or refusal > rebuff
rebuff1582
affrontment1611
backslap1828
marching orders1856
a slap in (or on) the face, in the eye, on the wrist1861
rebuffal1887
a smack in the face1895
brush1941
brush-off1941
a smack in the eye1941
1775 ‘T. Bobbin’ Misc. Wks. 58 Th' bigger Rascot shou'd ha' th bigger smacks, on moor on um.
1789 J. Wolcot Poet. Epist. to falling Minister 26 Just now and then a gentle smack, T' inform his Royal colt what Being rode him.
1827 G. Higgins Celtic Druids 128 A naughty or saucy boy, at school, often gets a smack on the face.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Kidnapped iii. 20 He jumped up..and hit me a smack upon the shoulder.
1895 A. W. Pinero Second Mrs. Tanqueray iii. 105 One gets so many smacks in the face through interfering in matrimonial squabbles.
1930 A. P. Herbert Water Gipsies viii. 84 ‘I'm leaving here.’ ‘Leaving us, Mr. Bryan?’ Jane thought ‘Oh, Lord, another smack in the face!’
1941 S. J. Baker Pop. Dict. Austral. Slang 68 Smack in the eye, a, a disappointment, a refusal, a rebuff.
1949 E. Coxhead Wind in West vii. 191 Well, but it was a nice smack in the face! To keep him, with all his experience..so completely in the dark.
1958 I. Cross God Boy xii. 98 I could tell that what he said was supposed to be a smack in the eye for me.
b. A vigorous or powerful hit with a cricket-bat.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of stroke
long ball1744
nip1752
catch1816
no-hit1827
cut1833
short hit1833
draw1836
drive1836
square hit1837
skylarker1839
skyer1840
skyscraper1842
back-cut1845
bum1845
leg sweep1846
slog1846
square cut1850
driver1851
Harrow drive1851
leg slip1852
poke1853
snick1857
snorter1859
leg stroke1860
smite1861
on-drive1862
bump ball1864
rocketer1864
pull1865
grass trimmer1867
late cut1867
off-drive1867
spoon1871
push1873
push stroke1873
smack1875
Harrow drive1877
pull-stroke1880
leg glance1883
gallery-hit1884
boundary-stroke1887
glide1888
sweep1888
boundary1896
hook1896
leg glide1896
backstroke1897
flick1897
hook stroke1897
cover-drive1898
straight drive1898
square drive1900
edger1905
pull-drive1905
slash1906
placing stroke1907
push drive1912
block shot1915
if-shot1920
placing shot1921
cow-shot1922
mow1925
Chinese cut1937
haymaker1954
hoick1954
perhapser1954
air shot1956
steepler1959
mishook1961
swish1963
chop-
1875 James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Ann. i. iv. 26 Two tremendous ‘smacks’ over the chains sent the crowd into raptures.
c. colloquial. A slap or go at something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > [noun] > an attempt
tastec1330
assayc1386
proffera1400
proof?a1400
pluck?1499
saymenta1500
minta1522
attemptate1531
attempt1548
attemption1565
say1568
trice1579
offer1581
fling1590
tempt1597
essay1598
trial1614
tentative1632
molition1643
conamen1661
put1661
tentamen1673
conatus1722
shot1756
go1784
ettle1790
shy1824
hack1830
try1832
pop1839
slap1840
venture1842
stagger1865
flutter1874
whack1884
whirl1884
smack1889
swipe1892
buck1913
lash1941
wham1957
play1961
1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 30 Dec. 2/2 I am longing to have a smack at these Matabeles.
ΚΠ
1798 J. Austen Let. 25 Nov. (1995) 22 The ball on Thursday was a very small one indeed, hardly so large as an Oxford smack.
Compounds
smackwarm n. (see quot. 1922).Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xi. [Sirens] 256 She let free..her nipped elastic garter smackwarm against her smackable a woman's warmhosed thigh.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
smackn.3
/smak/, U.S. /smæk/ Nautical.
a. A single-masted sailing-vessel, fore-and-aft rigged like a sloop or cutter, and usually of light burden, chiefly employed as a coaster or for fishing, and formerly as a tender to a ship of war.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel propelled by sail > [noun] > with specific rig > fore and aft rigged > smack
smack1611
1611 [see Compounds].
1684 E. Chamberlayne 2nd Pt. Present State Eng. (ed. 12) ii. 245 The Gravesend Smack.
1689 London Gaz. No. 2468/4 Yesterday came in here a Ketch and a small Smack from the Fleet.
1697 Philos. Trans. 1695–7 (Royal Soc.) 19 350 Plenty of large Soals, taken in Troul-Nets, the Smacks being under Sail trailing them along.
1750 T. R. Blanckley Naval Expositor 150 Smacks are necessary Transporting Vessels, with one Mast and half Spreet-sail.
1753 T. Woodroofe in J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. xvii. 111 They had..on the stocks..five smacks of 180 tons.
1801 Ld. Nelson Let. 4 Aug. in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) IV. 440 Pray send one of the Smacks to Hosely Bay with my letter to Sir Edward Berry.
1827 O. W. Roberts Narr. Voy. Central Amer. 169 A small smack of about fifteen tons burden.
1877 W. Black Green Pastures & Piccadilly II. xii. 183 Not dangerously for ourselves, but for the anchored schooners and smacks.
b. U.S. A fishing-vessel having a well in which fish may be kept alive.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > fishing vessel > [noun] > vessels which store, freeze, or transport fish
well-boat1614
fish-pool1718
sack ship1732
well smack?1758
carrier1825
sale-boat1840
ice boat1846
plunger1860
runner1881
pound-boat1884
run boat1884
fish-carrier1886
smacka1891
shacker1902
Klondiker1926
factory trawler1928
a1891 Fisherman's Memorial Bk. 70 Many of them were made into smacks, so-called, which was done by building a water-tight compartment amidships, and boring holes in the bottom to admit salt-water, and thus the fish were kept alive.
Compounds
attributive, as smack commander, smack-master, smack-owner; smack-load; smack-sail, smack vessel, etc.; smack-boat n. U.S. = sense b ( Cent. Dict.).
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Catepleure,..a smacke, or mizzen sayle.
1683 W. Hedges Diary 25 Aug. (1887) I. 105 2 Sloops of about 25 Ton apiece, with Smack Sailes.
1688 Sir C. Shovel in Naval Chron. 6 32 I may have..some other smack vessell.
1737 Chamberlayne's Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (ed. 33) 67 A Smack Commander.
1750 T. R. Blanckley Naval Expositor 149 Shoulder of Mutton, Square, Lugg, and Smack Sails.
1871 Daily News 22 Sept. The principal ship-owners and smack-owners of the port of Ipswich.
1885 Manch. Examiner 4 Feb. 4/7 Three Yarmouth smackmasters charged with piracy on the high seas.
1888 G. B. Goode Amer. Fishes 94 In the year 1831..a smack-load of Scuppaugs arrived in Boston.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
smackn.4
/smak/, U.S. /smæk/ slang (originally U.S.).
A drug, spec. heroin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > an intoxicating drug > [noun] > a) narcotic drug(s) > morphine, cocaine, or heroin > heroin
heroin1898
junk1921
dynamite1924
schmeck1932
smack1942
horse1950
gear1954
boy1955
sugar1956
chiva1964
scag1967
hoss1968
scat1970
P-funk1982
black tar1983
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §509/8 Smack,..a small packet of drugs.
1960 R. G. Reisner Jazz Titans 164 Smack, heroin.
1964 N.Y. Times Mag. 23 Aug. 64/2 Cocaine..referred to as..smack.
1968 Sunday Truth (Brisbane) 6 Oct. 36/3 When I first came here you were a big swinger if you turned on with pot. Now they're going straight on to smack (another slang word for heroin).
1969 Oz May 36/1 In the paper today it said that Jimmy Hendrix got busted for smack.
1976 R. Condon Whisper of Axe ii. vii. 208 She began by having the smack pushers recruit from 53 street gangs.
1980 P. Kinsley Vatchman Switch xii. 91 You're dealing and..I'm going to prove it. You're into opium and smack.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
smackv.1
/smak/, U.S. /smæk/ 1. transitive. Of persons: To perceive by the sense of taste. †Also figurative, to experience; to suspect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > [verb (transitive)] > perceive taste of (something)
feelc1225
smack1340
taste1340
find?a1425
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 93 Huo þet hedde wel ytasted and ysmacked þe ilke zuetnesse þet god yefþ to his urendes.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 106 Huanne þe man onderuangþ þise yefþe he..smackeþ and uelþ þe zuetnesse of god.
c1540 Image Ipocrysy i, in J. Skelton Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 414 We..Must sey that white is blacke, Or elles they sey we smacke, And smell we wote not what.
1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage sig. C2 If hee smacke the Setter, and smels a Rat by his clawing,..then away goes the Setter.
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Smaecken ende Proeven, to Tast, or to Smack a proofe of wine, &c.
1827 T. Carlyle tr. J. A. Musæus in German Romance I. 175 He soon smacked the taste of physic hidden in this sweetness.
2. figurative.1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ii. 16 Indeede my Father did something smacke, something grow to; he had a kinde of tast. View more context for this quotation1813 W. Scott Let. 2 July (1932) III. 296 Our little friend..is notwithstanding his many excellent qualities a little on the score of old Gobbo—doth somewhat smack—somewhat grow to.]
a. intransitive. Of food, liquor, etc.: To taste (well or ill); to have a (specified) taste or flavour; to taste or savour of something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > [verb (intransitive)] > have a taste
smatchc1000
brykec1315
smack1398
smake14..
savourc1405
taragec1407
taste1552
relish1566
eat1607
drink1617
seasona1625
bite1713
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) vii. lxix Som bitter þinges..þat smakkeþ [1495 smackyth] of aloye.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 722/1 This veneson smacketh to moche of the pepper.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie S 472 [It] Smacketh like pepper.
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Smaeckelick, that Smacks, Savours, or Tasts well.
1755 T. Smollett tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote II. iv. xvi. 439 Your fingers smack of vinegar!
1846 Edinb. Rev. 84 175 The best Xeres that ever smacked of the skin.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 73 Tea..had been left a whole night in contact with its leaves, and smacked strongly of tannin.
b. figurative. To partake or savour of, to be strongly suggestive or reminiscent of, something.Very common in the 19th cent.In quot. a16161 some editors transpose smoake and smacke, or read smacke in both places, so as to show this sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > be similar [verb (intransitive)] > have a touch, tinge, or suggestion of
soundc1340
smatchc1380
soundc1380
savourc1454
smell1526
taste1559
relish1577
smacka1616
reflect1617
seasona1625
tincture1787
twang1821
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) i. i. 209 He is but a bastard to the time That doth not smoake of obseruation, And so am I whether I smacke or no. View more context for this quotation]
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. ii. 5 All Sects, all Ages smack of this vice. View more context for this quotation
1657 W. Morice Coena quasi Κοινὴ v. 60 An argument smacking more of the Beast than rational Creature.
1748 J. Thomson Castle of Indolence i. vi. 53 Whate'er smacked of 'noyance, or unrest, Was far far off expelled.
1786 H. More Florio 10 A mass of knowledge, Which smacks of toil, and smells of college.
1858 J. B. Norton Topics for Indian Statesmen 147 On the other hand, however, this scheme smacks of centralization.
1892 G. S. Layard Life & Lett. C. S. Keene iii. 65 It was part of his nature to love everything that smacked of antiquity.
c. With adjective complement.
ΚΠ
1847 B. Disraeli Tancred III. vi. v. 203 He always calls her a moon or a star; that smacks nocturnal and somewhat sombre.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)]
fandOE
assayc1300
tryc1315
provec1330
adventurea1387
sayc1390
paina1400
havec1400
practisea1450
afforcec1487
afond1488
attempta1538
procure1574
endeavour1581
offer1611
poacha1616
attent1620
to venture at1623
essay1641
attentate1656
smacka1657
tempt1697
to try at1794
to have a go1802
to make a (good, poor, etc.) fist1833
tackle1847
to have or take a whack at1891
to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something)1895
to have a dash (at)1916
a1657 G. Daniel Idyllia in Poems (1878) IV. v. 69 He smacks at everie Science; and præscribes Rules as he had Quarter'd 'em, into Tribes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
smackv.2
/smak/, U.S. /smæk/ 1. figurative.a1677 I. Barrow Several Serm. Evil-speaking (1678) v. 202 He that pleasingly relisheth and smacketh at it, or expresseth a delightfull complacence therein..is..a sharer in the guilt.
a. transitive. To open or separate (the lips) in such a way as to produce a sharp sound; to do this in connection with eating or drinking, esp. as a sign of keen relish or anticipation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [verb (transitive)] > smack lips
smack1557
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (transitive)] > eat noisily or smack lips
sluffera1529
smack1557
slurp1648
1557 F. Seager Schoole of Vertue in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 344 Not smackynge thy lyppes, As comonly do hogges.
1736 R. Ainsworth Thes. Linguæ Latinæ I. (at cited word) To smack one's lips, labiis strepitum edere.
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey IV. vi. i. 29 As he smacked his lips after dashing off his glass.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. III. viii. 136 Tom..smacked his lips over the long-necked glass.
1872 C. Darwin Expression Emotions Man & Animals viii. 214 The Australians smacked and clacked their mouths at the sight of his horses.
b. intransitive or absol. Also with at.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [verb (intransitive)] > smack lips
smacker1598
smack1608
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (intransitive)] > eat noisily
smacker1598
smack1608
yaffle1788
slurp1916
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 101 The King..Dreams of the Dainties hee hath had yer-while, Smacks, swallows, grindes both with his teeth and iaws.
1673 Gentlewomans Compan. 71 Do not smack like a Pig, nor make any other noise which shall prove ungrateful to the company.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World II. 28 She had praised detestable custard, and smacked at wretched wine.
a1764 R. Lloyd Familiar Epist. to Friend in Wks. (1790) 280 In vain I taste, and sip and smack, I find no favour of the Sack.
1840 W. M. Thackeray Shabby Genteel Story iii Mr. Gann. (Smacks.) ‘A fine fruity wine as ever I tasted.’
c. transitive. To taste (wine or liquor) with keen relish or satisfaction.Perhaps influenced by or confused with smack v.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > [verb (transitive)] > taste so as to appreciate
attastec1374
tastea1400
gustc1430
degustate1599
degust1623
smack1822
1822 W. Irving Bracebridge Hall I. 69 Said the general..as he smacked a glass of rich Burgundy.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxi. 183 George,..filling himself a glass of wine, smacked it.
1849 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. viii. 81 ‘But of course’, added the Major, smacking the wine [etc.].
2. † b. to smack calf-skin (see quot. 1785). slang.
a. To kiss noisily or loudly. Now Obsolete or dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > kiss > [verb (transitive)] > kiss noisily or loudly
smack1570
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Aiiv/1 To Smacke, kisse, suauiare.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 255 Abusing the lippes..in smacking and kissing the vpper leather of an olde shoe, reserued for a Relique.
1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. ii. x. 42 God blesse thee Mouse the Bridegroome sayd, and smakt her on the lips.
a1658 J. Cleveland Old Man Courting 49, in Wks. (1687) Come smack me then my pretty Dear.
1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Satires ii. v. 134 Your prudent honourable Spouse, It seems, was faithful to her nuptial Vows. But had she..smack'd Her Cully [etc.].
1808 Salmagundi 25 Jan. 407 Smacking the lips of all fair ladies the which he did meet.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words Smack, to kiss with a noise.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (intransitive)] > swear or take an oath > by kissing the Bible
to smack calf-skin1785
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (at cited word) To smack calves skin, to kiss the book, i.e. to take an oath.
a1791 F. Grose Olio (1796) 231 But smacking calf-skin to an alibi, I..brought her off.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian viii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 209 Why, I have smacked calf-skin fifty times in England for a keg of brandy.
3. To crack (a whip, thong, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [verb (transitive)] > crack or snap > a whip
yarka1566
slash1660
smack1699
flank1830
spank1835
1699 [implied in: B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Smacking-cove, a Coachman. (at smacking adj. 1)].
1728 E. Young Love of Fame: Universal Passion (ed. 2) v. 126 As she guides it [a horse] thro' th' admiring throng, With what an air she smacks the silken thong.
1780 Mirror No. 84 The noise of somebody below, who hooted and hollow'd, smacked his whip.
1826 W. Robinson in J. A. Heraud Voy. & Mem. Midshipm. (1837) xi. 194 The whip is of very great length..; it requires both hands to smack it.
1843 G. W. Le Fevre Life Trav. Physician I. i. ix. 197 The four postilions smacked their whips in concert.
4. To bring, put, or throw down with a smack or slap; to clap (the hands) together; to slam (a door) to. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sound of blow or fall > sound of blow [verb (transitive)] > smack or slap
smack1801
spank1880
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close (a door, window, etc.) > violently or noisily
clapc1405
to throw to1644
slap1709
slam1775
bounce1786
flap1801
smack1801
slump1836
to fling to1862
bang1878
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > lay or put down > firmly, heavily, or abruptly
slump1836
smack1852
plonk1927
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > with the hand > with the open hand > strike the hand or hands
flapa1382
slap1717
smack1871
1801 ‘Gabrielli’ Mysterious Husband II. 200 The attending servant having smacked to the door, they drove off in a moment.
1852 T. De Quincey Sketch from Childhood in Hogg's Instructor New Ser. 8 2/2 I smacked my little kingdom of Gombroon down into the tropics.
1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days i. iv. 94 Says the guard, smacking his hand down on his knee.
1871 G. Meredith Harry Richmond I. v. 71 He smacked his hands together.
5.
a. To strike (a person, part of the body, etc.) with the open hand or with something having a flat surface; to slap. Also spec. to chastise (a child) in this manner and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > administer corporal punishment [verb (transitive)] > smack
smack1835
paddle1847
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > strike with an object > with something flat
platOE
skelpa1400
flapc1440
pat1533
slap1632
spatc1832
smack1835
paddle1847
1835 C. Dickens Seven Dials in Bell's Life in London 27 Sept. 1/1 Mrs. A. smacks Mrs. B.'s child for ‘making faces’.
1840 W. M. Thackeray Shabby Genteel Story ii The unfeeling girl..never offered to smack her mamma's hands,..or to restore her with a glass of water.
1856 F. E. Paget Owlet of Owlstone Edge 167 Won't she smack you all over?
1881 W. Besant & J. Rice Chaplain of Fleet I. iv. 76 He smacked his leg with his hand, and burst out laughing.
1892 G. B. Shaw Let. 12 Aug. (1965) I. 359 Smacking Bebel & Singer in the eye for their dénigrement of our programme.
1918 E. Pound Let. 1 Jan. (1971) 127 I liked your comment p. 89, Nov. no. Naturally pleased to see the folk song idea smacked again.
1976 Evening Post (Nottingham) 14 Dec. 18/9 It appeared to have been put there by her two-year-old son, who had been smacked for moving things about the house.
b. To hit (a ball) vigorously with a cricket-bat. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (transitive)] > hit > hit with specific stroke
take1578
stop1744
nip1752
block1772
drive1773
cut1816
draw1816
tip1816
poke1836
spoon1836
mow1844
to put up1845
smother1845
sky1849
crump1850
to pick up1851
pull1851
skyrocket1851
swipe1851
to put down1860
to get away1868
smite1868
snick1871
lift1874
crack1882
smack1882
off-drive1888
snip1890
leg1892
push1893
hook1896
flick1897
on-drive1897
chop1898
glance1898
straight drive1898
cart1903
edge1904
tonk1910
sweep1920
mishook1934
middle1954
square-drive1954
tickle1963
square-cut1976
slash1977
splice1982
paddle1986
1882 Daily Tel. 24 June Steel supplemented this by smacking the same bowler to the on for a quartette.
1894 N. Gale Cricket Songs (new ed.) 59 The Champion smacked, and the Terror's reign Could not bring his wicket under.
c. to smack it about (see quot. 1962). Nautical slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > proceed rapidly [verb (intransitive)] > hasten or hurry
hiec1250
skelta1400
hasty?a1425
hasten1534
festinate1652
to look sharp1680
to make play1799
hurry-scurry1809
to tumble up1826
crowd1838
rush1859
hurry1871
to get a move on1888
hurry and scurry1889
to buck up1890
to get a hump on1892
to get a wiggle on1896
to shake a leg1904
to smack it about1914
flurry1917
to step on it (her)1923
to make it snappy1926
jildi1930
to get an iggri on1946
ert-
1914 ‘Bartimeus’ Naval Occasions i. 5 Better man your boat from the boom and shove straight off. Smack it about!
1915 ‘Bartimeus’ Tall Ship iv. 71 It's three o'clock now, so I advise you to smack it about and clean if you're going ashore.
1962 W. Granville Dict. Sailors' Slang 108/2 Smack it about!, naval exhortation to the hands to ‘get a move on’;..from the smacking of paint brushes about the ship's hull by the side party.
6. intransitive. To make or give out a sharp smacking sound; to crack.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sound of blow or fall > [verb (intransitive)] > smack or slap
slip-slap1723
spank1800
smack1890
splat1922
1890 Fishing Gaz. 13 Dec. 321/2 Eels are smacking all round in the star-lit water.
1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-head & Trotters 38 The crowd gart muskets smack there.
7. Used with adverbial force.
a. With, or as with, a smack; suddenly and violently; slap. Also with down, through, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adverb] > and suddenly
swap1672
slam1726
smack1782
whack1812
wham1924
wham-bam1956
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sound of blow or fall > [adverb] > smack or slap
smackingly1598
smack1782
spank1810
whack1812
spat1890
splat1897
splacka1960
1782 W. Cowper Hist. John Gilpin in Public Advertiser 14 Nov. Smack went the Whip, round went the Wheels.
1799 King George IV in Paget Papers (1896) I. 150 He..tumbled..smack on his face.
1806 H. Siddons Maid, Wife, & Widow II. 101 Smack comes a ball from the enemy and carries away his head.
1836 T. Hook Gilbert Gurney I. 239 So away I went—smack bang into a quaker's shop to buy myself a pair of gloves.
1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting v. 141 As I ducked under on the lower side he came smack through.
b. Completely, entirely; directly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
1828 W. Whewell in I. Todhunter William Whewell (1876) II. 90 We have got a decision which is smack against us.
1857 A. Mathews Tea-table Talk II. 128 The wind being smack in their teeth the greater part of the voyage.
1864 P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. III. 387 [Cardan] made the bishop smack whole in twenty-four hours.
Compounds
In combinations.
smack-bottom n. a childish expression for a smack on the bottom given in chastisement.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > [noun] > spanking > a spanking
twanking1711
paddling1851
smack-bottom1970
1970 P. Laurie Scotl. Yard iii. 89 ‘Put them down, Pop, or you'll get a smack-bottom.’.. The old man has gone back to babyhood.
1978 K. Amis Jake's Thing xvii. 182 What he needs is a damn good smack-bottom and being told not to be so boring.
Draft additions 1993
smacked adj. in various senses; esp. in smacked bottom (cf. smack-bottom n. at Compounds above).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of grain > milling or grinding > [adjective] > ground
well-groundc1500
multured1718
milleda1831
smacked1886
stone-milled1901
stone-ground1905
society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > [noun] > spanking > a spanking > parts of body spanked
smacked bottomc1960
1886 Trans. Amer. Philol. Assoc. 17 46 Smacked (ground—as smacked corn).
c1960 F. D. Osgerby in J. Burnett Destiny Obscure (1982) i. 90 If any of us cried for some reason she was not aware of we got a smacked bottom.
1983 Times 10 Jan. 22/7 A sort of sub-world of smacked bottoms and scrawny mothers-in-law.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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