smitev.

Brit.

/smʌɪt/, U.S.

/smaɪt/

Inflections: Past tense smote, smited; past participle smitten, smited;

Forms: 1. Present stem Old English smitan, Old English smytan (in prefixed forms), early Middle English simten (infinitive, transmission error), early Middle English smieth (probably transmission error), early Middle English smitenn ( Ormulum), Middle English smete (northern), Middle English smett (northern), Middle English smiȝte, Middle English smijte, Middle English smist (2nd singular), Middle English smitt (northern), Middle English smitte (northern), Middle English smiyte, Middle English smyȝt, Middle English smyȝte, Middle English smyȝthe, Middle English smyht, Middle English smyit, Middle English smyst (2nd singular), Middle English smytestou (with personal pronoun affixed), Middle English smyth, Middle English smythe, Middle English–1500s smyght, Middle English–1600s smit, Middle English–1600s smyt, Middle English–1600s smyte, Middle English (1600s Scottish) smytt, Middle English– smite, late Middle English smat (transmission error), 1500s smitt- (Scottish, inflected form), 1500s smote (Scottish, probably transmission error), 1500s–1600s smight, Middle English–1500s (1600s Scottish) smytte; also 3rd singular indicative Old English smitt (in prefixed forms), Middle English smit, Middle English smitte, Middle English smyȝt, Middle English smyȝth, Middle English smyt, Middle English smyth, Middle English smytt, Middle English smytte, Middle English swyteþ (transmission error), Middle English symteþ (transmission error). OE Lacnunga (2001) I. xxxi. 20 Smite mon ða sealfe ærest on þæt heafod.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14677 To smitenn itt to dæde.c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) l. 78 Al þat þu mist..smiten [a1300 Jesus Oxf. smyten].c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in Trans. Philol. Soc. (1906) 8* M[an]. with hamur smyt on the anfelde.?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 28 This ryuere cometh rennynge..& after it smytt vn to londe.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. iv. sig. D5^v For him likewise he quickly downe did smight.c1639 W. Mure Psalmes cxli. 5 in Wks. (1898) II. 218 Me let the righteouse smytt.1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. i. 8 I smite them once more for engraving their coat of arms at the top.1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. iii. vii. 208 Rabidity smites others rabid.1994 A. Habens Dreamhouse (1997) vi. 149 The two men smite their hands together in strange glee.2006 J. Golding Secret of Sirens (2007) xvi. 265 The boom of waves smiting stone. 2. Past tense. a. Strong. (i). Originally 1st and 3rd singular indicative.

α. (chiefly early or northern in Middle English) Old English–Middle English smat, early Middle English siriat (transmission error), early Middle English smæt, Middle English–1500s smate; Scottish pre-1700 smaat, pre-1700 smait, pre-1700 smate, pre-1700 smayt, pre-1700 1800s smat. eOE Corpus Gloss. (1890) 68/2 Inpingit, smat, gemaercode.c1200 ( West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Hatton) xxvi. 68 Hwæt ys se þe þe smat [OE Corpus Cambr. sloh]?c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10137 Me hine smæt [c1300 Otho smot] mid smærte ȝerden.?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 8426 Hengist agayn anoþer smat [rhyme sat].c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 516 With his spere he smate hym thrugh.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ix. xii Quhou Turnus the big Pandarus smat [v.r. smate] down.1860 Banffshire Jrnl. 21 Feb. 2 The snaw killed the feck an' he smat a' the lave.

β. Middle English smete, Middle English smite, Middle English smyte. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 121 Summe..hehten hine aredan hwa hit were þet hine smite.c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 942 Gij oȝain to him smite [rhyme hete].a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 1196 He..smete in a grete swowne.

γ. Middle English–1500s smet; Scottish pre-1700 smet, pre-1700 smett. c1250 in Englische Studien (1935) 70 234 Wid one asse chehec bone he smet hine to grunde.a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) l. 4109 I smet hym..with repentaunce.a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. l. 53925 Ane,..with his fist vpoun the face him smet.

δ. Middle English smoitte, Middle English smoot, Middle English smoote, Middle English smoth, Middle English smotte, Middle English (1500s Scottish) smoit, Middle English–1500s smott, Middle English–1600s smot, Middle English– smote, 1500s–1600s smoat, 1500s–1600s smoate. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 735 He smot Numbert..þat his hæfd-bon to-brec. ▸ c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 2654 Ubbe..smoth godrich.c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) lxviii. 31 Hym þat tou smote.a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) II. 415 Petir..smoot of Malcus eere.1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos lvi. sig. Kviii She smotte grete strokes.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Cc She..downe him smot.a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) v. ii. 365 I..smote him thus.1714 E. Young Force of Relig. in Wks. (1752) I. 87 She smote her lovely breast.1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge xxxix. 160 He smote Mr. Tappertit on the back.1960 W. Harris Palace of Peacock i. 16 The sun smote me as I descended the steps.2008 Times 4 Aug. 59/4 Azhar..smote four sixes and two fours in an innings of 68 from 51 balls.

ε. late Middle English–1500s smyt, 1500s smyth, 1500s smytt, 1500s–1600s smit, 1500s–1600s smitt. a1425 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Linc. Inn) (1952) l. 2384 Þey nedid heom him to awreke Alle þat Alisaundre hitte Hors and mon doun he smyt.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B5^v Vpon his crest With rigor..he smitt.1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 125 Great-heart..smit the head..from his shoulders.

(ii). Plural.

α. Old English smitan (in prefixed forms), Old English smiton, late Old English (in prefixed forms)–Middle English smiten, early Middle English simten (transmission error), early Middle English smitten, Middle English smite, Middle English smitte, Middle English smyte, Middle English smyten, Middle English smyton, Middle English smytte, Middle English smytten, Middle English smytton, Middle English smytyn. eOE Corpus Gloss. (1890) 58/2 Funestauere, smiton.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15021 Mid longe sweorden heo smitten. ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xiv. 5 The kingeȝ..smyten Raphaim.1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 81 His seruauntis..smyten and bete the asse.

β. early Old English smeoton (Mercian, in prefixed forms), early Old English smeotun (Mercian, in prefixed forms), Middle English smete, Middle English smeten, Middle English smetin, Middle English smeton, Middle English smetyn. eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) lxxviii.1 Gentes..coinquinauerunt templum sanctum tuum : ðeode..bismeotun tempel halig ðin.] c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 2585 Hii smete to-gaderes.1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 27 They smeton beten and wounded hym.

γ. Middle English smoit, Middle English smoot, Middle English smoote, Middle English smooten, Middle English smot, Middle English smote, Middle English smoten. ▸ c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 1843 Þe laddes were kaske and teyte, And vn-bi-yeden him ilkon, Sum smot with tre, and sum wit ston.c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 1796 Thay..smoten down right al a-boute.a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xv. 237 A-noon thei smote to-geder fercely.

δ. Chiefly northern Middle English smat, Middle English smate. ?a1350 Guy of Warwick (BL Add.) (1974) l. 1090 It was na man that tay come ate That al tu dust thay hym smate.c1390 MS Vernon Homilies in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1877) 57 273 His Arwes ful euene smat Riht on þe Olde Mon.c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 336 Þai smate hym down & kyllid hym.

ε. late Middle English smet. 1452 Petition to Lords in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 59 The seid persones..shet at hem and smet her horse wyth arwes.a1475 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 239 Þe clowdes gan clappe, The elementes gonne to rusche & rappe, And smet downe chirches & templis.

b. Weak.

α. early Middle English smatte, Middle English smette, late Middle English–1600s smitte, late Middle English–1600s smytte. c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 607 Þe sarazins he smatte Þat his blod hatte.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2684 He bi-loc hem & smette a-mong.a1450 Seven Sages (Cambr. Dd.1.17) (1845) l. 2697 With a qweyntyse fyre he keste Ryght bytwene hys swyrdys in lenkthe, As tho he smytte hyt out with strenthe.1470 Maldon (Essex) Court Rolls (Bundle 47, No. 4) Turned that other ende of the forke and smette hym.

β. late Middle English smitede, late Middle English smitide, late Middle English smytide, 1600s– smited. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) 4 Kings ix. 27 Thei smytiden [1408 Fairf. smoten, c1450 Bodl. smiten, a1425 Emmanuel smetin] hym.1696 in Bp. E. Hopkins Disc. IV. 276 The Holy Ghost secretly smited their Consciences.1784 Loyola: Novel 69 He smited his breast.1858 C. Kingsley Red King 54 Tyrrel he smited..that day.1993 C. S. McCarrick Now You See Her 219 He tried to gauge how long it would be before the booze smited her.2001 C. D. Atwood Always Reforming 141 The New Model Army smited King Charles, then smited the rebellious Irish Catholics, and in 1653 smited Parliament itself.

3. Past participle a. Strong.

α. Old English gesmiten, Old English smityn (in prefixed forms (not ge-)), Old English (in prefixed forms)–1500s smyten, Old English (in prefixed forms (not ge-))–1600s smiten, early Middle English ȝesmitan, Middle English ismyten, Middle English ismytyn, Middle English smitene, Middle English smitin, Middle English smiton, Middle English smitun, Middle English smyȝten, Middle English smytene, Middle English smyton, Middle English smytun, Middle English smytyn, Middle English smytyne, Middle English ysmyten, Middle English ysmytun; Scottish pre-1700 smytin, pre-1700 smytyn. eOE Bald's Leechbk. (Royal) (1865) ii. xxxiii. 236 Hreaþemuse blod gesmiten on þæs seocan mannes wambe.a1225 ( Rule St. Benet (Winteney) (1888) vii. 37 Ȝif hi beoð ȝesmitan [OE Corpus Cambr. geslegen] on þæt an hleor. ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xli. 6 Smyten with myldew.?c1450 (?a1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 378 Ysmyten wiþ goddis vengance.a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) vi. ix. 51 Feil crewell strakis smytyn hard thai sovnd.1680 T. Ager Paraphrase on Canticles 69 Men are smiten with barrenness.

β. Old English (Northumbrian, in prefixed forms)– smitten, Middle English smettyn, Middle English–1500s smytten, Middle English–1500s smyttyn, 1500s smyttin (Scottish), 1500s smyttyne, 1600s smitt'n, 1600s smittin (Scottish). OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: John xviii. 28 Ut non contaminarentur : þætte hia nere gewidlęd uel besmitten.] a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7603 Saul has smitten a thusand.1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes iv. iv. sig. Pvii^v To make theyre hedes to be smytten of.?a1556 Grey Friars Chron. anno 1550 in R. Howlett Monumenta Franciscana (1882) II. 227 Hys hond was smyttyne of.1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. §84. 340 By Saul they were..smitten.1794 R. Snowden Amer. Revol. II. i. 8 The Barbarians were smitten with fear and fled.1864 J. H. Burton Scot Abroad II. i. 62 Smitten with a sacred rage for topography.1996 G. Jen Mona in Promised Land (1998) i. 4 They are just smitten with the educational opportunity before them.2003 S. G. Webb Tales from Keeper of Myths 76 There was a crashing, a groaning as if the world were being smitten into pieces.

γ. early Middle English hiismite, Middle English ismite, Middle English ismyte, Middle English ysmite, Middle English ysmyte, Middle English (1500s Scottish) smite, Middle English–1500s smyte. c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 5415 Hii-smite he was in fihte. ▸ a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 123 He was i-smyte wiþ a palsy.c1450 (c1425) Brut (Cambr. Kk.1.12) 366 Þat boþe her hedis schulde be smyte of.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. vii. 17 Sum Greikis victouris war smyte [v.r. smite] deid.

δ. Middle English ismeten, Middle English smeten, Middle English smeton, Middle English smetun, Middle English smetyn, late Middle English smetynge (probably transmission error). ▸ a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 477 He was i-smeten [c1400 Tiber. ysmytted, c1410 BL Add. i-smyȝten, 1482 Caxton spytted] wiþ þe vice of pride.1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. cij/1 Roulland..had smeton hys vncle.

ε. Middle English ismete, Middle English smete, Middle English ysmete, Middle English (1500s Scottish) smet, late Middle English smette. ▸ a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 369 Þe enemyes..were i-smete wiþ blyndenesse.a1500 Reward of Man (Trin. Cambr. O.9.38) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 35 With thys bytel be he smete.a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6378 His Arme was smette fro the body clene.a1527 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (Elphinstoun) ii, in Poet. Works (1874) II. 103 And, but my mycht..Thai had bene..with thair fais swerdis smet to deid.

ζ. Middle English ismitte, Middle English ismyt, Middle English–1500s smyt, Middle English–1500s smytt, Middle English–1500s smytte, Middle English–1600s smitte, Middle English–1600s (1700s–1900s archaic) smit, 1500s–1600s smitt. c1390 in F. J. Furnivall Minor Poems Vernon MS (1901) ii. 473 Al for my misde[de] Was he so felli smit.?a1425 (a1325) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Digby) (1887) l. 5254 Of smytte [c1325 Calig. Heueden þat were of ysmite].c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) lviii Artow seke or smyt with jelousye?a1550 in R. Dyboski Songs, Carols & Other Misc. Poems (1908) 123 I hope this gonne was well smytt.1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 29 Smit with the love of sacred song.1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. i. 354 Smit with Love of Honourable Deeds.1851 ‘B. Cornwall’ Eng. Songs 50 Like a rose fell Jeanie, Smit by winter cold.1909 A. J. Lockhart Birds of Cross 38 He sang, when white the seas with foam, Smit by the Angel of the Storm.

η. late Middle English– smote (now archaic and nonstandard), 1500s smott, 1500s–1600s smot, 1600s smoate, 1600s smotten. c1500 Friar & Boy (Rawl.) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1895) 90 72 Þis game were wele smote [a1475 Brogyntyn smet].1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Dd5 Til thou in open fielde adowne be smott.1607 S. Hieron Bridegroome in Wks. (1620) I. 473 Elah, smotten and killed while he was drinking.a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 59 Turning the right cheek to him that has smote the left.1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things II. vi. 676 What cities have they smote!1909 E. W. Thomson Many-Mansioned House 87 'T was in the year when Azrael's spear had smote the fighting South.2011 Harper's Bazaar (U.K. ed.) July 44/1 He was smote with one of those career-changing thunderbolt insights.

θ. 1800s smat (Scottish). 1896 J. Lumsden Battle of Dunbar & Prestonpans 2 The Scot has smat me ower the hip.

b. Weak. 1500s smyted, 1600s 1900s– smited. ?1560 Mery Iest Howleglas sig. Bi^v He toke a staffe and wold haue smyted Howleglas.1611 E. Bunny Of Head-Corner-Stone 495 A kind of ciuill disease that most of all raigneth in any State, when the Princes and other Heads-men thereof are therewith smited themselues.1994 Crank Autumn 76 At every return the ball was smited.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian smīta to throw, to pelt, strike, to destroy (West Frisian smite ), Middle Dutch smiten to strike, to pelt, throw (Dutch smijten ), Middle Low German smīten to strike, to throw, Old High German smīzan to smear (Middle High German smīzen to smear, to strike, German schmeißen to throw, strike, smear), Norwegian regional smita to smear, Old Swedish smita to stroke, to smear (Swedish smita to strike, to smear, daub, to throw), Danish smide to smear, to strike, to throw, < the same Germanic base as smit v. and smit n.¹, perhaps < an extended form of the Indo-European base seen also in classical Latin macula macula n.The two major strands of meaning ‘to throw, to strike’ and ‘to smear’ appear both to ɡo back to Germanic, although the connection between them is unclear; it has been suggested it originates from the process of slapping mud on to walls in the course of wattle and daub construction. Various prefixed forms are also seen in the Germanic languages: e.g. Gothic gasmeitan to smear, to anoint (compare y- prefix); Old English besmītan and the cognate forms cited at besmite v.; Old High German anasmīzan to anoint (compare on- prefix); and Old High German ūzsmīzan to drive away (compare out- prefix). In Old English the unprefixed verb is considerably less frequent than prefixed besmītan besmite v. (compare also besmit v.). There seems to be a connection between this pattern of attestation and the relatively late attestation of the sense ‘to strike’ in Old English, although it quickly becomes predominant in Middle English (see branch II.), especially given that the sense ‘to throw, to strike’ is associated with the unprefixed form in other Germanic languages. It is possible that the sense ‘to strike’ may perhaps have belonged to a variety or register of Old English that is not well represented in the extant records. Other prefixed forms are rare in Old English and also reflect the sense ‘to smear’; compare forsmiten smeared (only as past participle; compare for- prefix¹ and (in different sense) forsmite v.) and ofersmītan oversmite v. In Old English a strong verb of Class I, as in other Germanic languages. In modern standard usage, while the reflex of the strong past tense (smote ) is now chiefly literary and archaic, the past participle has wider currency in some of its uses (compare smitten adj.). The Old English (Mercian) past tense plural bismeotun reflects Anglian back mutation before a dental consonant, which is apparently partly continued by Middle English smēt- . However, strong past tense and past participle forms spelt with e are probably of more than one origin. In part they may show the reflex of northern lengthening of i in open syllables. Weak past tense forms such as smatte at Forms 2bα appear relatively early. They may be analogically formed on the basis of strong past tense smāt (with shortening of the stem vowel before the double consonant). However, compare Old High German -smeizzen (in pesmeizzen to stain, pollute; Middle High German smeizen to defecate, (also) to throw), which suggests potential currency of an unattested corresponding Old English weak Class I verb *smǣtan from the same Germanic base. (Perhaps compare also Old English smǣte smeat adj., if it represents a derivative of an ablaut variant (o-grade) of the same Germanic base.) If such a weak verb existed, it could also be partly represented by weak past tense smett- (with later shortening) and Middle English present tense smet-, although such forms might have arisen in more than one way.

†I. To smear or stain.

1. transitive. Chiefly with on. To smear (a substance) on something; to smear (something). Obsolete.

ΚΠ

eOE Bald's Leechbk. (Royal) (1865) i. lxxxvii. 156 Wiþ þon þe hær ne weaxe, æmettan ægru genim, gnid, smit on þa stowe.

OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Exod. (Claud.) xii. 7 Nimon of his blode & smiton on ægðer gedyrne [perhaps read gedyre] on þam husum.

?a1200 (?OE) Peri Didaxeon (1896) 49 Ȝif hyt [sc. blood] cumþ of þare þrotan, þus þu hyt scealt aȝitan; Þann he hwest, þann smyit hys tunge, and he uthræþ wurmsig blod.

2. transitive. To pollute; to taint; to stain. Obsolete.In quot. eOE probably reflecting use of classical Latin fūnestāre funestate v. in Orosius Hist. 4.13. 3 (in figurative context).

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > degrade or impair morally [verb (transitive)] > corrupt > taint or infect

smiteeOE

besmiteeOE

smitOE

besmita1250

empoisonc1400

fadec1400

infect?c1400

attainta1529

leaven1534

inquinate1542

contaminate1563

taint1573

tack1601

beleper?a1625

eOE Corpus Gloss. (1890) 58/2 Funestauere, smiton.

OE West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xv. 18 Soþlice þa þing þe of þam muðe gaþ cumað of þære heortan & þa smitaþ þone mann.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. cviii. 999 Þe rynde [of a nut] is grene and sour and bitter, and swyteþ [read smyteþ; a1500 Cambr. fouliþ; L. inficientem] his hond þat handeliþ it harde.

II. To deliver a blow and related senses.

3. intransitive. To deal a blow or blows; to strike; to deliver a stroke or strokes; to fight. Occasionally with out. Also figurative. Now archaic.In quot. lOE with reference to a severe blow dealt by God; cf. sense 4.In quot. 1488 with on: to continue striking.In quot. 1600 of a horse: to kick.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike or deliver blows [verb (intransitive)]

slay971

smitelOE

flatc1330

flap1362

acoupc1380

frapa1400

girda1400

hit?a1400

knocka1400

swap?a1400

wapa1400

castc1400

strike1509

befta1522

to throw about one1590

cuff1596

to let down1640

dunch1805

yark1818

bunt1867

the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > kick

startleOE

kickc1386

winch1483

fling1487

yark?1561

smite1600

to lash out1852

to kick over the traces1861

lOE Salisbury Psalter: Canticles vi. 39 Ego occidam et ego uiuere faciam, percutiam et ego sanabo : ic ofslæa & ic liuian do ic smite & ic hæl.

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 61 He [sc. God] wile smite mid bredlinge swuerde.

c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 586 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 316 No wonder þei it smite harde.

c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 10248 Mases of yron..for to smyte wele.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) 3 Esdras iv. 8 If he seie to smyten, thei smite.

a1450 ( tr. Vegetius De Re Militari (Douce) (1988) 60 Ȝong fiȝteres mote be tauȝt to foyne and stoke and nouȝt to smyte [L. Non caesim sed punctim ferire].

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1456 Yeur wyff woll sikirliche..smyte with hir tunge.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iii. l. 363 ‘Smyt on,’ he said. ‘I defy thine accioune’.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Luke xxii. D Lorde, shal we smyte with the swerde?

1598 I. K. tr. A. Romei Courtier's Acad. 137 Wee erre about the maner how: as if one thinking to strike softly, shoulde smite hard.

1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xxviii. 178 If he see that he beginne not to smite and snort.., he shall leade him by the reines out of the stable.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 250 Satan..Saw where the Sword of Michael smote .

a1795 S. Bishop Poet. Wks. (1796) II. 127 Such would I be;—my friends to guard, Would smite; and, if I smote, smite hard.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vi. iii. 312 Louis..clutched the tongs, and even smote with them.

1891 A. Conan Doyle White Company I. vii. 143 There was one, indeed,..who smote out like a true man.

1953 K. M. Briggs Personnel of Fairyland 50 They foined and smote and parried up and down the Great Hall of the Dark Tower.

2014 R. Cohen Israel: is it Good for Jews? xiv. 165 The biblical Jews..slew and they annihilated and they smote and in other ways showed little mercy.

4. transitive. Of God: to afflict with death or destruction; (also) to punish or afflict in a notable way. Cf. sense 14b. Now archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > destroy or ruin a person

spillc950

amarOE

smitelOE

aspillc1175

mischievec1325

to bid (something) misadventurec1330

mara1375

fordoc1380

undo1390

wrack1564

to make roast meat of (also for)1565

wrake1567

wreck1590

speed1594

feeze1609

to do a person's business1667

cook1708

to settle a person's hash1795

diddle1806

to fix1836

raddle1951

the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > activities of God > [verb (transitive)] > punish

smitelOE

punisha1325

scourgec1384

chasten1526

strike1577

lOE Canterbury Psalter iii. 8 Quoniam tu percussisti omnes adversantes michi : forðæn þu ofsloge uel smite ealle wiðergiende me.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 48 (MED) Þeruore smot god to euele dyaþe onam.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. l. 874 (MED) The hond of hevene him smot In tokne of that he was forswore.

a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) civ. 34 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 239 He smate al firstkinned in land ofe þa.

c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 126 Þe more þat god smyteth hem, wyth his wreche.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xxv. G The Lorde smote him, so y^t he dyed.

1574 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Job (new ed.) xxxv. 179/1 Gods iustice is knowne in his secrete iudgements, when wee see God smite and torment such folke as had no notable faults in them.

1611 Bible (King James) Psalms lxix. 26 Let none dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten.

1687 W. Wake Prepar. for Death (1723) i. 28 Let us not mistake God's goodness, nor imagine, because he smites us, that we are forsaken by him.

1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 464 The Governor of all..has interpos'd, Not seldom, his avenging arm, to smite Th' injurious trampler upon nature's law.

1843 J. G. Whittier Cassandra Southwick 142 The Lord shall smite the proud, and lay His hand upon the strong.

1882 G. B. Shaw Let. 30 Jan. (1965) I. 47 I have overtaxed the patience of the Almighty, and he has smitten me; and, through me, the Zetetical Society.

1908 Washington News Let. June 556/1 I would be very much afraid to do wrong, because God would smite me.

1992 R. Wright Stolen Continents (1993) i. 19 Huitzilopochtli.., like the Old Testament Jehovah, specialized in smiting enemies and leading his people to a promised land.

2016 J. Walker World in Flames 66 I warn them if they don't go faster, God will smite us...I'm learning the proper way to speak like an apostle, thanks to Timmy.

a. transitive. To strike or hit (a person or thing), usually forcefully; to deliver a blow to; to beat; to slap. Also figurative and in figurative contexts. In later use literary or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > specific animate object

drepeOE

smitec1200

buffet?c1225

strike1377

rapa1400

seta1400

frontc1400

ballc1450

throw1488

to bear (a person) a blow1530

fetch1556

douse1559

knetcha1564

slat1577

to hit any one a blow1597

wherret1599

alapate1609

shock1614

baske1642

measure1652

plump1785

jow1802

nobble1841

scuff1841

clump1864

bust1873

plonk1874

to sock it to1877

dot1881

biff1888

dong1889

slosh1890

to soak it to1892

to cop (a person) one1898

poke1906

to hang one on1908

bop1931

clonk1949

c1200 ( West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Hatton) v. 39 Gyf hwa þe smite [OE Corpus Cambr. slea] on þin swiðre wænge.

c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 167 Smit him ananriht mid te ȝerde of þi tunge i schrift.

?c1250 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 109 Of þe king he meden game & simten [read smiten] him wit honde.

c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 503 (MED) He smot him a litel wiȝt & bed him beon a god kniȝt.

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxvi. 67 Thanne thei spitten in to his face, and smyten [a1425 BL Add. beeted] hym with buffetis.

a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 7813 (MED) What tyme þat she shul wende He smote here a lytyl on þe bak Yn pleyyng whan he to here spak.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) 3 Esdras iv. 30 With the pawme of hir lift hoond she smote [L. cædebat] the kyng.

1584 J. Dee Jrnl. in True & Faithful Relation Spirits (1659) i. 82 He smit the round Table with his rod.

1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xviii. 18 Come and let vs smite him with the tongue.

1668 J. Owen Nature Indwelling-sin xii. 181 The case was the same with Asa in his anger, when he smote the Prophet.

1719 Free-thinker No. 109. 2 The Fairy..smote him on the Shoulder with a golden Wand.

1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. ix. 235 Oft would she smite the earth.

1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge viii. 277 Half pausing for an instant now and then to smite his pocket.

1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days i. iii. 71 Tom arose, and..smote his derider on the nose.

1914 Atlantic Monthly Feb. 205/2 Blacksmiths smiting the anvil or navvies wielding their hammers in the streets.

1999 R. Tremain Music & Silence (2000) iii. 397 He will smite his own head and chest, and babble out his sorrows in an incoherent language.

†b. transitive. Of a bird or animal: to strike with the beak, claw, hoof, etc. Also reflexive. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > strike at

smite?c1225

spura1722

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 94 Pellican..sleað ofte his achne briddes..& þenne..wurð seswiðe sari..& smit him seolf wið his bile.

c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) l. 78 Al þat þu mist mid cliure smiten.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Exod. xxi. 28 Ȝif anox with þe horn smyte aman.

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. met. vii. l. 2202 Þe bee..styngeþ þe hertes of hem þat ben ysmyte.

c1450 MS Douce 52 in Festschrift zum XII. Neuphilologentage (1906) 46 While þe hors kykys, war that he the ne smyte.

a1500 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Hunterian) (1976) i. 309 (MED) Þe pellican..With hyr bil..smyth herself in þe syde.

c. transitive. Of the feet: to strike (the ground, a person, etc.) (in later use chiefly literary or archaic). Formerly also of a person: †to strike with the feet or with spurs (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > with the foot > kick

smitec1330

frontc1400

punch1449

kick1598

calcitrate1623

bunch1647

pause1673

pote1673

purr1847

boot1877

turf1888

root1890

c1330 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Auch.) l. 3398 Sire Morice of Mounclere His stede smot [a1450 Caius prekyd] aȝenes Sabere.

1821 J. Baillie Metrical Legends 31 Many a high plum'd gallant rear'd his head, And proudly smote the ground with firmer tread.

1829 T. Carlyle in Edinb. Rev. June 451 Happy that the virago's foot did not even smite him.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 12 Juts of slippery crag that rang Sharp-smitten with the dint of armed heels.

1919 U. Sinclair Jimmie Higgins xvi. 160 There are twenty left feet smiting the ground in unison, and then twenty right feet smiting the ground in unison.

1984 R. Araujo Mem. Belmont Boy ii. 70 When a watchekonged foot smote you in the shin, you could feel it all through your body.

d. transitive. To touch or strike (a musical instrument or the strings of an instrument) in order to produce sound. Also occasionally intransitive with on or upon. Now somewhat rare (literary or archaic in later use).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (transitive)] > play harp

smitea1382

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 1 Kings xvi. 23 Dauyd tooc an harpe & smoot [L.V. c1450 Bodl. 277 harpide; L. percutiebat] wiþ hys hond.

c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 777 Eke whan men harpe strynges smyte..Loo with the stroke the ayre to-breketh.

1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. dj^v Then smyte youre tabur, and cry huff, huff, huff and make the fowle to spryng.

a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 137 Take hit [sc. a golden hoke], and bynde it to the ende of a longe yerde, and then smite vpon [c1510 de Worde with that smyte] thin harpe.

1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 87^v In the Psaltrie is an holowe tree, and of that same tree the sounde commeth vpwarde, and the stringes beinge smitten downewarde, Desuper: sonant.

1603 H. Clapham Three Partes Salomon Song of Songs Expounded iii. 248 Like as a Musitians fingers smit an instrument for effecting melodious harmony.

1636 G. Wither tr. Nemesius Nature of Man xiv. 345 Smite the strings of a Lute.

1785 W. Cowper Task v. 216 Ah, tinkling cymbal and high-sounding brass Smitten in vain!

1793 H. Boyd Poems 535 Ere yon loud Æolian band Smite my harp with frantic hand.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Locksley Hall in Poems (new ed.) II. 95 Love took up the harp of Life, and smote on all the chords with might.

1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iv. 66 A maid, Of those beside her, smote her harp, and sang.

1927 Princeton Alumni Weekly 14 Jan. 424/3 Strum the lyre; Smite the lute! Blow loudly on the fife and flute.

1930 W. S. Davis Life Elizabethan Days ix. 123 If you smite the strings of these horizontal harps with hammers held in your hand you have a dulcimer; if you simply pluck the strings you have a psaltery.

1986 J. B. Keane Bodhrán Makers xi. 178 He smote upon the drum with the clenched knuckle of his right hand.

e. transitive. Originally and chiefly Cricket. To produce (a hit of a specified type) by striking the ball very hard, as to smite a six (also a homer, etc.). Also: to defeat (a team) or prevail against (a bowler) in this way.

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

1868 Marlburian 13 May 72/1 Woodhouse who smote a seven, was bowled for 12.

1891 W. G. Grace Cricket iv. 127 Mr. I. D. Walker..smote them to the tune of 90.

1904 F. C. Holland Cricket 28 After you have smitten him [sc. the bowler of yorkers] full-pitch two or three times, he will soon stop bothering you in this way.

1956 Paris (Texas) News 13 Sept. 10/2 The winning runs were driven in by Oliver who smote a homer with one aboard in the eighth.

1982 P. Tinniswood More Tales from Long Room vii. 87 My next sermon will take as its text: ‘And, lo, Harry Halliday was a plump man, yet many a six did he smite for Yorkshire.’

2014 L. Marinos Blood & Circuses iii. 22 He smote Ian Meckiff straight for six, off the back foot.

a. transitive. To strike (a person) with a sword, spear, etc., in order to inflict serious injury or death; to kill; to injure; to strike hard with an axe or other bladed instrument. Also reflexive. Also with the weapon as subject. In later use literary or archaic.In early use also †to smite (a person) through (obsolete).Cf. to smite (a person, animal, etc.) to (the) death at Phrases 1a, to smite (a person or animal) dead at Phrases 1b.to smite (a person) hip and thigh: see hip and thigh at hip n.¹ Phrases 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (reflexive)]

smitec1275

mischiefc1475

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (transitive)] > through

smitec1275

to pass through ——c1330

traverse?a1400

transpiercec1604

pervade1656

bore1716

needle1813

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with a weapon [verb (transitive)]

areach1014

maulc1225

hitc1275

smitec1275

reachc1330

strike1377

to cut over1867

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with weapon [verb (reflexive)]

smitec1275

the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with weapon

smitec1275

the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (reflexive)] > so as to cause serious injury or death

smitec1275

the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (transitive)] > strike severely > so as to cause serious injury or death

slayc893

to smite to deathc1175

smitec1275

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3242 Þe king droh his sweord..and þet deor he smat [c1300 Otho smot] a-nan uppe þat hæued-bæn.

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 4473 Lucye þe senatour was mid a spere þoru ysmite.

c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 915 To the herte sche hire self smot.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vi. 136 He smat [1489 Adv. smate] the first sa rygorusly Vith his spere,..Till he doun to the erd hym bare.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. iii. 46 Smyte with the ax did rair the aikis hie.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ix. sig. I4 Ne yeelded foote,..But being doubly smitten likewise doubly smit.

1641 G. Sandys Paraphr. Song Solomon v. 19 The Watch..In this pursuit the Afflicted found: Smot, wounded [etc.].

1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads iv. 58 He smote was with a Spear into the Brain.

1748 Scots Mag. App. 625/1 He stepped forth, and smote him with a dagger that he died.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 5 I am so deeply smitten through the helm That without help I cannot last till morn.

1878 New Monthly Mag. 14 327 He then arose and attempted to smite himself with the hatchet, failing in which, he threw himself down into a well in the compound.

1922 D. H. Low in tr. Ballads of Marko Kraljević xiv. 82 Philip..grasped his heavy mace And smote Kraljević Marko, Smote him on his hero's shoulders.

2013 J. Fletcher in G. W. M. Harrison & V. Liapis Performance in Greek & Rom. Theatre 214 Ajax dies a warrior's death, smitten by the sword of his enemy.

b. transitive. In or with allusion to biblical use: to strike down, esp. in battle; to kill, slay; to defeat. Cf. sense 4. Now archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > kill in battle

smitea1382

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Josh. vii. 5 Þe whiche..been smytyn of þe men of þe cite of hay.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3971 Þat quils esau smat an o þe tua Þe toþer party suld scape him fra.

1560 Bible (Geneva) Josh. x. 19 Followe after your enemies, and smite all the hindemost.

1612 T. Beard Theatre Gods Judgem. (ed. 2) xii. 309 He caused..the Citie of the Priests to be smote with the edge of the sword.

1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. §84. 340 By Saul they were once, and againe smitten: and finally, by David they were utterly vanquished.

1711 W. Thompson Child's Guide to Eng. Tongue 112 Hophni and Phineas were slain in the Battle, the Israelites smitten.

1754 E. Young Centaur ii, in Wks. (1757) IV. 136 Not Babylon alone has been smitten at a banquet, and perished in its joys.

1883 Friends' Rev. 1 Dec. 268/1 Saul failing to smite David during his madness,..hoped to induce David so to expose himself to the Philistines in battle that he should be slain.

1890 J. S. Blackie Song of Heroes i. 17 He smote the men of Moab, And the fierce Philistian crew.

1918 Congregationalist & Advance 14 Nov. 511/1 Esau..had 400 men With him and could easily have smitten Jacob.

1996 Holiday Which? Jan. 63/1 The Pictish Samson Stone..shows the biblical figure smiting the Philistine.

c. transitive. figurative and in figurative contexts. Now rare.

ΚΠ

c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 122 Deth manaceth euery age and smyt.

?1516 tr. Dysputacyon Herte sig. B.iii Thou hast me smyte with a stroke mortall By thy fals loke thou hast me ouerthrowe.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Dd3^v That blinded God, which hath ye blindly smit, Another arrow hath.

1775 E. Jerningham Fall of Mexico 10 The bard..To whom the Muse her unsunn'd treasures gave, When Genius smote him with his fiercest beam.

1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things I. iii. 1250 Great Homer lives no more, Smote, like the rest, by Time's relentless power.

1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iii. 55 From my breast the involuntary sigh Brake, as she smote me with the light of eyes.

2007 A. Pipa tr. I. Kadare Chron. in Stone vi. 87 I was scouring the sloped roofs to see if I could find out where love had hidden before smiting a young man with its arrow.

†7. transitive. To cause or produce (a wound, hole, etc.) by slashing or cutting. Obsolete.In quot. 1535 in to smite a great slaughter: to attack with great force.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > injure by striking

smitec1275

hurt1297

blessa1529

ding1918

the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > fashion, shape, or form > form by cutting, pounding, tearing, rubbing, etc.

hewc900

smitec1275

tailc1400

carve1490

tear1597

wear1597

to work out1600

draw1610

to carve outa1616

effringe1657

shear1670

pare1708

sned1789

whittle1848

to rip up1852

slice1872

chop1874

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > produce by striking

smitec1275

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3796 Nennius..ne mihte finden bote of his hæfued-wunde þe Iulius smat mid honde.

c1300 Holy Cross (Laud) l. 538 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 17 A rode ich smot a swiþe deop wounde.

?c1450 in Anglia (1896) 18 302 Ȝif a gret wounde..be..with a wepyn wyckydly smetyn.

1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) ii. xviii. sig. dviii They hadde eyther smyten other seuen grete woundes.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xix. B Dauid wente forth..and smote a greate slaughter, so that they fled before him.

1581 A. Munday Breefe Disc. Taking of E. Campion Drawing his Dagger, he smit a great hole in it [sc. a wall of boordes].

1612 in Jrnl. Archit., Archaeol., & Hist. Soc. Chester (1885) 3 500 Such [pottel potes, quarts, and pints] as wanted measure he caused Joseph Gilham to smite a great hole in the syde of them.

8. intransitive. With on or upon (formerly also †at, †to). To deliver a blow, esp. with a weapon, to a person or thing; to strike a person or thing. Now rare (in later use literary or archaic).

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with a weapon [verb (transitive)] > strike at

smitec1275

spurnc1540

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11958 Frolle..a-dun-riht sloh. and smat [c1300 Otho smot] an Arðures sceld.

c1300 St. Brendan (Laud) l. 417 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 231 He gan i-mete þis luþere fisch and smot to him faste.

c1330 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Auch.) l. 1043 So harde þe smitest vpon me kroun.

c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iii. l. 1204 Menelay..smette at him with his scharpe swerde Vp-on þe hede.

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. cccliiii So ofte must men on the oke smyte, tyl the happy dent haue entred.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. xxxi. C I shall smyte vpon my thee.

1611 Bible (King James) Exod. vii. 17 I will smite with the rod..vpon the waters which are in the riuer.

1653 W. Erbery Bishop of London 11 Yea Pauls Spirit, and Peters Sword smites upon your arme and right eye, upon the Spiritual sight and strength of such Idol-Shepherds.

1798 R. Southey Joan of Arc (ed. 2) II. ix. 208 Forth she flash'd her sword, and with a stroke Swift..smote on his neck.

1823 J. G. Lockhart Anc. Spanish Ballads 145 With that he smote upon his throat, and spurn'd his crest in twain.

1876 W. Morris tr. Virgil Æneids xii. 364 The eager-driven spear Smote on his helm, and shore away the topmost of his crest.

1936 Jrnl. Eng. Folk Dance & Song Soc. 3 37 He wielded a staff..with which he smote upon the shield.

1983 J. E. Woods tr. A. Döblin Karl & Rosa ix. 512 I don't smite upon my breast. I don't pray, either. I've let that slip as well.

9. intransitive. With in, into, or through.

a. Of a person: to use a weapon or other sharp instrument to cut into or through something with a heavy or sudden blow. Now somewhat rare (literary or archaic in later use).figurative in quot. 1751, with God as subject.In quot. 1785 with reference to Judges 4:21, in which Jael kills Sisera, commander of the Canaanite army.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > penetrate

wade993

smitec1275

reachc1300

piercea1325

sinkc1330

enterc1350

soundc1374

thirl1398

racea1420

takea1425

penetrate1530

penetre?1533

ransack1562

strike1569

thread1670

raze1677

perforate1769

spit1850

riddle1856

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1157 Corineus..his eax adun sloh, and smat in enne muchele stane, þer Locrin stod vuenan.

1560 Bible (Geneva) Deut. xxxiii. 11 Smite through the loines of them that rise against him [sc. the Lord].

1635 J. Bentham Christian Confl. viii. 155 Iohn Courcye..with one stroke smote through an helmet into a block.

1751 T. Delafaye God Mariner's Only Hope 18 Be the Waves and their Noise never so mighty,..the Lord..divides and smites through their Pride.

1785 A. Bruce True Patriotism 30 She ventured to put her hand to the nail,..and her right-hand to the workman's hammer, and smote through the temples of the sleeping tyrant.

1839 R. M. Bird Abdalla the Moor (new ed.) 5/1 They will..with their battle-axes of flint, smite through the neck of a horse.

1910 S. R. Crockett Love's Young Dream x. 83 He lifts his axe and smites into the butt.

2003 G. Heng Empire of Magic 125 Arthur..smites into his opponent's entrails.., and neatly slices off the giant's genitals.

†b. Of a sword, arrow, etc.: to strike something, esp. with or as if with a heavy or sudden blow; to pierce or penetrate through something; to stick in or into something. Also figurative and in figurative contexts. Obsolete (literary in later use). In quot. 1892 with reference to 2 Kings 13:18, in which the arrows fired by King Joash symbolize the help of God in defeating Aram.

ΚΠ

c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 583 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 316 Ȝwane þe wynd and þat fuyr smiteth þoruȝ þe watur-cloude.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11824 Þe fester smoot þourȝe his body.

c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xx. l. 323 Þe smoke and þe smorþre þat smyȝt [c1400 Vesp. smyth, a1425 London Univ. smytte, a1425 Cambr. Ff.5.35 smyteth] in oure eyen.

c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 362 The deeth he feeleth thurgh his herte smyte.

a1425 (?c1350) Ywain & Gawain (1964) l. 377 In my face þe levening smate.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xix. B The iauelynge smote in the wall.

1651 tr. J. A. Comenius Nat. Philos. Reformed viii. 133 A viscous flaming matter is cast forth,..and smiting into the earth, it turnes to a stone.

1773 P. Wheatley Poems Var. Subj. 108 A fatal shaft from Phoebus's hand Smites through thy neck.

1869 Ld. Tennyson Coming of Arthur 57 But Arthur..Felt the light of her eyes into his life Smite on the sudden.

1892 Homiletic Rev. Jan. 68/1 Shoot arrow after arrow, till all are gone, and they remain there smiting into and sticking in the ground.

1923 Poetry 22 8 Let love be a terrible sword of flame to smite through our souls.

10. transitive. To deliver (a blow, stroke, etc.), esp. with a weapon. Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow)

setc1300

smitec1300

layc1330

drivec1380

slentc1380

hit?a1400

to lay ona1400

reacha1400

fetchc1400

depart1477

warpc1480

throw1488

lenda1500

serve1561

wherret1599

senda1627

lunge1735

to lay in1809

wreak1817

to get in1834

c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 541 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 315 Þou miȝtest him seo wel longue smite þe duntes with þine eiȝe Are þov scholdest þene dunt i-heore.

c1390 Castle of Love (Vernon) (1967) l. 1150 (MED) Grete boffetes among me him smot.

1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos lvi. sig. Kviii She smotte grete strokes with her swerde.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxiii. 424 Merlin..drough that wey that he were not knowen with a grete staffe in his nekke smytinge grete strokes from oke to oke.

1588 A. Munday tr. C. Colet Famous Hist. Palladine Eng. ix. f. 19 With a little white wand she smote three blowes on the Elme tree.

1603 J. Stow Suruay of London (new ed.) 385 The Esquier tooke his axe, & smote many blowes on the knight.

1649 W. Greenhill Expos. 6th–13th Chapters Ezekiel xi. 438 A stone feeles no weight.., smite the hardest stroakes, its not sensible of any.

1851 N. Hawthorne Snow-image 53 At Bloody Brook, a terrible blow shall be smitten, and hardly one of that gallant band be left alive.

1890 W. Morris Roots of Mountains xxxix. 293 They will take any man for their fellow in arms who will smite stark strokes on their side.

1952 Furrow 3 443/2 Smiting blows on the foes of Holy Church.

2006 I. Kaminishi Explaining Pictures viii. 181 Other Tateyama Mandala paintings illustrate monstrous ogres smiting blows with iron clubs.

11.

(a) transitive. To drive, hammer, or strike (a thing), esp. forcefully, against, on, into, etc., another thing; to thrust or drive (a thing) in. Now rare.In quot. c1450 in passive (of precious stones): to be embedded.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > so as to hit something > forcibly or violently

smitec1300

pashc1390

beswak?a1513

dash1530

smashc1800

slap1836

c1300 Holy Cross (Laud) l. 555 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 17 At þe riȝt side huy smiten a spere ful deope in atþe laste.

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 4384 Nenny bare þe scheld o skere, & Iulius smot his suerde ouer fere.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 3678 Smeten was smaragdans in-to þe smeth werkis.

c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. lxij^v/2 Make pinnys of wylowe and smyte them faste in.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xiii. A Yf y^e one be smytten agaynst the other, it shal be broken.

1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. C1 His Faulchon on a flint he softly smiteth .

1611 Bible (King James) Judges iv. 21 Then Iael..went softly vnto him, and smote the naile into his temples.

1670 J. Pettus Fodinæ Regales xxvi. 41 The Smiter of Irons , after they be graved, smites them upon the Monie.

1702 Medit. on Life, Sufferings & Death Son of God. xix. 177 See with what Fury they smite the Nails into those Hands, that had never been used but in doing Good.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. iv. ii. 181 Large clubs, which they smite angrily against the pavement.

1883 H. Pyle Merry Adventures Robin Hood i. ii. 26 ‘Aha!’ cried he suddenly, smiting his hand upon his thigh.

1906 H. G. Wells In Days of Comet i. ii. 87 I stood up..and smote my fist with all my strength against the panel of wood before me.

1991 J. Neusner Talmud of Land of Israel XI. vii. 232 They treated it [sc. a given action] as equivalent to completing an act of labor, just as smiting a hammer on an anvil completes the act of labor.

†(b) transitive. In past participle in smitten (full) of: studded or thickly set with. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] > be scattered at intervals > be scattered with something

smite?1435

strike1610

?1435 ( J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 637 Thes emperesses hadde..sevyn virgynes..Be attendaunce..Alle cladde in white, smytte ffulle off sterres shene.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 5424 With corouns on hede, As it smytten [ware] all..of smaragdens fine.

a1500 (a1470) Brut (BL Add. 10099) 518 His brigantines smytten ful of gylted nayles.

b. transitive. To strike (two or more things) together (formerly also †samen); to clap (one's hands). Now somewhat archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > impinge upon [verb (transitive)] > cause to impinge > bring into collision

smitea1398

to knock together1398

to strike together1398

collide1621

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. cxlii. 1392 Cymbales..beþ ysmyte togideres, and sowneþ and ryngeþ.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11998 Iesus samen [Trin. Cambr. to gider] his handes smat.

1532 Romaunt Rose in Wks. G. Chaucer f. cxxix^v/2 She al to dassht her selfe for wo And smote togyder her hondes two.

1589 T. White Serm. Paules Crosse 14 Two stones smitten together cast foorth fire.

1611 Bible (King James) Num. xxiv. 10 Hee smote his hands together.

1671 J. Webster Metallographia vi. 102 Fire-stones, or pyritae; which rubbed hard or smitten together forcibly,..give sparks of fire.

1724 A. Crossly Signification Most Things in Heraldry 1 There is little Marrow in his Bones, for when they are Smitten together they strike Fire as out of a Flint.

1823 T. C. Upham tr. J. Jahn Biblical Archaeol. 102 The musician held one of them [sc. cymbals] in his right hand, the other in his left, and smote them together.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 8 But when he saw the wonder of the hilt,..he smote His palms together.

1921 Musical Times May 332/2 The public came along and smote their hands together and beat the carpet with their feet as if the decisions of critics were not among the things that mattered.

1994 A. Habens Dreamhouse (1997) vi. 149 The two men smite their hands together in strange glee.

12. transitive. Chiefly with adverbial complement, as asunder, into pieces, in two, etc.: to cut, chop, or break apart, into pieces, etc. Also in figurative contexts. In later use literary or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > cut [verb (transitive)] > cut to pieces

to-carvec950

forhewa1000

forcarveOE

to-hackc1000

to-hewc1000

to-slivec1050

to-brittenc1175

shredc1275

to-snedc1275

to-race1297

smitec1300

dismember1303

hewa1382

hew1382

to-cut1382

forcutc1386

brit?a1400

splatc1400

to-shredc1405

upshear1430

detrench1470

dispiece1477

thrusche1483

till-hew1487

despiecea1492

rip1530

share?1566

hash1591

shamble1601

becut1630

betrench1656

mincemeat1861

becarve1863

c1300 St. James Great (Laud) l. 115 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 37 Heroudes ȝaf his dom a-non, his þrote to smite a-two, and Iosie þe quellare he was bi-take þulke dede for-to do.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 2003 (MED) A firy thonder sodeinly He sende, and him to pouldre smot.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 21593 In foure pecis þai hit smate.

1447 O. Bokenham Lives of Saints (Arun.) (1938) l. 247 (MED) Me wil respyte Attropos..and not..My fatal threed a-sundyr smyte.

a1450 in T. Austin Two 15th-cent. Cookery-bks. (1888) 55 Nym raw ȝolkys of Eyroun, & melle hem a-mong chikonys y-smete.

a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 126 Smite the gurdill [of lechery] in thre, scil. in prayer, fastyng, and almesdede.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Table of Verbes f. ccclxv/1 He hath smytten his harnayes al to peces.

1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. xxxvi. 10 Smite in sunder the heads of the rulers.

1689 S. Jay Remarques Life Abraham ii. 27 in Τὰ Καννάκου Why did not Sarah..smite asunder these Waters of Jealousie?

1798 R. Southey Joan of Arc (ed. 2) I. i. 123 Will not God In sunder smite the unmerciful, and break The sceptre of the wicked?

1844 G. C. Hebbe & J. MacKay tr. ‘C. Sealsfield’ Life in New World xxv. 96/1 As if ten thousand cannon-shot, hurled together, were smiting in pieces, mountain, forest and valley.

1898 Argosy June 532 We had happened into a school of whales.., and one in his play and clumsy gambols had smitten us into matchwood.

1985 B. Perrins Trade Union Law Pref. p. v The Prime Minister herself is avowedly a latter-day Moses, smiting asunder the Red Sea of socialism.

2003 S. G. Webb Tales from Keeper of Myths 76 There was a crashing, a groaning as if the world were being smitten into pieces.

13. intransitive. To come together violently or forcibly; (of the knees) to knock together. Also: to be driven or dashed on or against something. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > impinge [verb (intransitive)] > forcibly or violently

beatc885

pilta1200

smitec1300

dashc1305

pitchc1325

dushc1400

hitc1400

jouncec1440

hurl1470

swack1488

knock1530

jut1548

squat1587

bump1699

jowl1770

smash1835

lasha1851

ding1874

biff1904

wham1948

slam1973

c1300 St. Alban (Laud) l. 68 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 69 And euere þat watur bi-hinden him smot to-gadere þere.

a1450 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) v. xxvii. By hardenes of boones þat smyteþ and meueþ togedres.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Dan. v. A His knees smote one agaynst the other.

1611 Bible (King James) Nahum ii. 10 The heart melteth, and the knees smite together.

1770 S. W. God all in All 24 I see their faces gather paleness, and their knees smiting together.

1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna iv. i. 75 The old man took the oars, and soon the bark Smote on the beach.

1896 J. L. Weston Legends Wagner Drama ii. 32 The casket smote against the rocks and broke.

1952 Winnipeg Free Press 2 Sept. Bare knees smote together and turned pink with temperatures frigidly in the lower 50's.

14.

(a) transitive. Of a disease, disorder, or other condition: to attack; to affect suddenly or seriously. Frequently in passive with by, †in, or with.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > affect with disease [verb (transitive)] > attack

ofseche?c1225

takec1300

smitea1325

strike1530

infest1542

assault1594

attack1665

grip1818

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3690 Ðor wurð ghe ðanne wið lepre smiten.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 123 Constantyn was i-smyte [1482 Caxton smeton] wiþ a strong meselrie.

a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 11920 A lymme þat ys..smete yn pallesye.

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1871) III. 33 (MED) This kynge..was smyten with the lepre.

a1500 (c1477) T. Norton Ordinal of Alchemy (BL Add.) (1975) l. 2076 (MED) The wreche was sodenly Smytt in a stronge paralisie.

1574 J. Merbecke Lyues Holy Sainctes 141 He was immediatly smitten with the Wormie sickenesse, whereof he most miserably dyed.

1650 Royal Diurnall 11–18 Mar. sig. D3v Many..are justly troubled in Conscience, and smitten with madnesse, and other Diseases & Lunacies.

1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) xxxi. 379 You may as well desire..to have a Dead Palsie smite your loyns.

1755 T. Stack tr. R. Mead Medica Sacra xv. 113 The disease with which Herod Agrippa is said to have been smitten..is remarkable.

1774 H. Brooke Juliet Grenville (Dublin ed.) II. 178 We supposed him to be smitten by some quick stroke of madness.

1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest II. x. 438 Abbot Mannig..had been smitten by paralysis, and had resigned his office.

1880 Gardeners' Chron. 25 Sept. 406/3 So soon as Potatos are full grown,..before the disease smites them, they may and can be dug and saved in safety.

1918 W. Owen Let. 24 June (1967) 560 About 30 officers are smitten with the Spanish Flu.

1993 F. Jennings Founders of Amer. (1994) xiii. 130 Smallpox was the first new disease to smite the Indians.

2011 Independent 12 Sept. (Viewspaper section) 6/4 The protagonist of..Doktor Faustus enjoys 24 years of musical triumph before being smitten with syphilitic madness.

(b) transitive. figurative and in extended use: to afflict. Chiefly in passive with by or with.

ΚΠ

1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature III. 224 A province, considered, even at Petersburg, as smitten with sterility.

1836 J. S. Mill in London & Westm. Rev. 25 276 Ministers are smitten with the epidemic disease of Russo-phobia.

1879 S. W. Baker Cyprus xvi. 400 A season of cruel drought has smitten the agriculturists.

1933 C. Brooks Jrnl. 23 Jan. (1998) 45 London is smitten by an unauthorised strike of busmen.

1982 Economist 6 Nov. 49/3 Other Indian regions have been smitten with floods.

2006 D. J. Eicher Dixie Betrayed (2007) Prol. 9 As with all young Southerners in 1861, Worsham was smitten with patriotic fever.

b. transitive. Of God, a god, or (occasionally) a person regarded as having supernatural powers: to cause (a person) to be affected with a particular disease or condition. Cf. sense 4.Frequently with reference to biblical use.

ΚΠ

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 20957 A jugelur wit blindnes he smat.

c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 126 Þey se noȝt how god smyt hem in here body, wyth sykenes & tribulacyoun.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zech. xiv. C This shalbe the plage, wherwith y^e Lorde wil smyte all people.

?1554 Lydgate's Fall of Prynces (new ed.) ii. xvii. f. lii^v/1 (heading) God toke vengeaunce & smote him with leprie.

1642 D. Rogers Naaman 30 He forgat himselfe, till the Lord smot him with the plague.

1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety ii. 33 He [sc. God] should..smite us with blindness like the Sodomites, whom he finds in such impure pursuits.

1757 W. Massey in tr. Ovid Fasti 303/1 The gods..smote him with blindness, and sent harpies to eat and spoil his victuals.

1778 Schoolmistress for Poor xxi. 82 He impiously attempted to offer incense in the Temple,..and for this offence the Almighty smote him with the leprosy.

1842 H. Taylor Edwin the Fair iii. viii. 173 The Lord shall smite him with the botch of Egypt.

1880 E. J. Carey tr. P. Stapfer Shakespeare & Classical Antiq. ix. 174 Apollo, to avenge his priest, smites the Grecian army with a plague.

1948 Jrnl. Royal Anthropol. Inst. 78 20/2 If a wealthy villager evaded this obligation, the chief's medicine-man would smite him with illness.

2007 T. Sprague Art for Yale: collecting for New Cent. 383/2 This same god personified the darker side of pleasure, punishing those who overindulged in drink, sex, drugs, or gambling and smiting them with disfiguring venereal diseases.

†15. transitive. To engage in or fight (a battle). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)]

smitec1325

fighta1400

strike1487

contest1614

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 269 Hii smite þer an bataile hard an strong inou.

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 239 Vnder Elendoune þe bataile was smyten.

a1500 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Douce) (1890) l. 440 (MED) By syden Saresbury a lite Here batayle to gederys þey gonne smyte.

1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 220 Syxe batayles agayne King Knowt he smote.

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xl. 1091 L. Posthumius smit a brave and fortunate battaile with the Vaccei.

1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 317 This battell was smitten in the yeare of Grace 457.

16. transitive. With adverbs, as out, away, back, etc. To strike or knock (a thing or (occasionally) person) out, away, back, etc., esp. with a weapon; to drive or force out, etc.; to cut out, etc. Also with prepositions, as †fro, from, off. Also: to break open with a blow or blows. Also figurative. See also to smite off at Phrasal verbs. Now somewhat archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > by impact or force > by striking or beating

smitec1330

swapa1375

inbeatc1420

possa1425

rushc1440

strike1450

ram1519

pash1530

thwack1566

whip1567

thump1596

lash1597

knocka1616

switcha1625

to knock down1653

to knock in1669

stave1837

whip1868

slog1884

to beat down-

c1330 (?c1300) Amis & Amiloun (Auch.) (1937) l. 1326 (MED) Ac he failed of his dint, þe stede in þe heued he hint & smot out al his brain.

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. x. 14 Smytith [a1425 Corpus Oxf. smyte] awey the dust fro ȝoure feet.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6705 Qua smites vte his thains eie.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 105 (MED) Gawayne smote hym of hys horse.

?a1475 in J. Kail 26 Polit. Poems (1904) 145 Now hathe age y-smete me fro My pryncipall feder of Iolyte.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Susanna i. D Then ranne there one to the orcharde dore, & smote it open.

1559 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 207 Hytt brust in pesses, and on pesse..smott on of ys leg[s] a-way.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 393 Repressing or smiting backe the swelling incident to wounds.

1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 125 Then Mr Great-heart..smit the head of the Giant from his shoulders.

1751 J. Wesley Christian Libr. IV. 89 One of the Officers with his Halbert, smote out the Staple, in the Stake behind him, and let his Body fall into the Bottom of the Fire.

1827 T. Carlyle tr. J. A. Musæus in German Romance I. 165 The Son of the Gods arises..and smites the slave-fetters from his limbs.

1850 W. G. Simms Lily & Totem xvii. 233 He stripped the skin from the breast of his victim, then, with sharp strokes, he smote away the flesh.

1892 C. W. C. Oman Byzantine Empire 349 The Sultan..smote away the jaws of the nearest snake with one blow of his mace.

1916 Everybody's Mag. Nov. 576/2 He lifted the fist that had betrayed him, and smote open the flimsy door.

1917 R. A. Cram Substance of Gothic i. 22 Charles Martel—the Hammer that..smote back the Mohammedan invasion.

2004 T. Moore Trav. with my Donkey (2006) 190 I hunched lower, quietly smiting away an ant the size of three olives.

†17.

a. transitive. To make or contract (a covenant, bond, etc.). Cf. strike v. 70a. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement with [verb (transitive)] > make conclude or seal (an agreement)

binda1300

smitec1330

takec1330

ratify1357

knitc1400

enter1418

obligea1522

agree1523

conclude1523

strike1544

swap1590

celebrate1592

rate?1611

to strike up1646

form1736

firm1970

c1330 Lai le Freine in Smith Coll. Stud. Mod. Langs. (1929) 10 iii. 10 Treuþe [was] pliȝt. Allas þat he no hadde ywite, er þe forward were ysmite.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xxi. 27 Boþ þey smyten abond of pees.

1596 H. Clapham Briefe of Bible i. 31 Iehovah appeareth and smiteth a Covenant with him.

1632 R. Harris Way to True Happinesse x. 157 The Lord is very ready (so soone as he hath made his people) to smite a couenant with them.

b. transitive. To coin (money); to strike (a coin, or metal into coin). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > money > coining > coin (money) [verb (transitive)]

coinc1330

smitea1387

forgec1400

printc1400

strike1449

moneyc1450

mintc1520

stamp1560

beat1614

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1882) VIII. 265 (MED) Þe kynge made smyte [L. incudi] newe coyne and newe money.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 334 Er gold was smite In Coign.

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 5741 Edward did smyte rounde peny, halfpeny, ferthyng.

1423–4 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1423 §55. m. 31 That the maister of the mynte do smyte..half nobles.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Macc. xv. A I geue the leaue to smyte money of thine owne.

c. transitive. To cut (a step). Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 3342 Of a Smeth [s]maragadane Smyten was þe toþir [step].

d. transitive. To cut off (a serving of meat). Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > preparation of meat > dress animals for food [verb (transitive)] > carve

shearc1330

unlacec1400

smitea1500

carve1529

to cut up1574

cuta1616

a1500 (a1477) Black Bk. (Soc. of Antiquaries) in A. R. Myers Househ. Edward IV (1959) 150 That the messez..be smytyn in a suffycyaunt and acording maner.

18.

a. transitive. Of light, the sun, etc.: to shine (strongly) on; to beat down on; to strike. Formerly also †intransitive (of the sun): to shine. Also in figurative contexts. Chiefly literary in later use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (transitive)] > shine upon

smitec1350

c1350 Apocalypse St. John: A Version (Harl. 874) (1961) 190 (MED) Berile..glemeþ as water þere þe sonne smytt.

c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie (Cambr.) (1977) 171 (MED) The sonne beames..smote agayn the toppe of an highe towre.

a1500 Let. Alexander l. 471 in Mediaeval Stud. (1979) 41 139 (MED) The beames of the sonne smote the toppes of hevenes.

1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 26 As thy eye beames, when their fresh rayse haue smot. The night of dew.

1653 J. Davies in tr. C. Sorel Extravagant Shepherd To Rdr. sig. b^v The statue of Memnon, out of which proceeded an harmonious sound, when smitten by the rays of the Sun.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 244 Where the morning Sun first warmly smote The open field.

1731 G. Medley tr. P. Kolb Present State Cape Good-Hope II. 71 When the Sun smites the spurrie very hotly, the capsulae open.

1788 A. Seward Lett. (1811) II. 107 On an open plain smote by the summer's sun.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Œnone (rev. ed.) in Poems (new ed.) I. 121 Far-up the solitary morning smote The streaks of virgin snow.

1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 43 A broad beam of the garish light Smote with a glory her golden hair.

a1915 J. Joyce Giacomo Joyce (1968) 2 Shadows streak her falsely smiling face, smitten by the hot creamy light.

1960 W. Harris Palace of Peacock i. 16 The sun smote me as I descended the steps.

1999 Field & Stream May 126/1 I would stand in his doorway with a 12 o'clock sun smiting my forehead and look into the cool innards of Tilton's black cave.

b. transitive. Of lightning, fire, etc.: to strike (a person or thing) causing injury, damage, or death; to destroy; to blast. Now archaic.In quot. a1425 in figurative context.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)] > of environmental or supernatural factors

smitea1382

strikec1480

blasta1533

perisha1549

thunderstrike1613

siderate1623

to strike dead, blind1750

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Exod. ix. 25 Þe haul smote..alle þat wern in feeldis,..& all heerb of þe feeld smote the haul [L. percussit grando].

a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 3755 Whanne the flawme of the verry bronde..Hadde Bialacoil with hete smete.

a1475 in Neuphilol. Mitteilungen (1957) 58 66 (MED) Lightnyng..smyttythe a swerde to pouder and hort nat the scaberde.

c1500 Lyfe Roberte Deuyll 343 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 233 A man had ben as good to haue be smytten with thonder, As to haue a stroke of hys hand.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. ix. G Thus the flax and the barlye were smytten.

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxv. 550 Many places were blasted and smitten with lightning from heaven.

1645 J. Milton Arcades in Poems 54 I..heal..what the cross dire-looking Planet smites.

1744 J. Thomson Summer in Seasons (new ed.) 94 A suffocating Wind the Pilgrim smites With instant Death.

1760 L. Sterne Serm. Mr. Yorick II. x. 95 Like a blooming flower smit and shrivelled up with a malignant blast.

1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things II. vi. 676 Eruptive winds, what cities have they smote!

1820 P. B. Shelley Vision of Sea in Prometheus Unbound 177 Six the thunder has smitten, And they lie black as mummies.

1917 A. Cahan Rise of David Levinsky xii. vi. 440 A lash of fire smote the firmament with frantic suddenness.

1931 Salt Lake Tribune 2 Oct. 12/4 The troublemaker..is smitten by a bolt from heaven for his defiance of God.

2005 E. J. W. Barber & P. T. Barber When they severed Earth from Sky vii. 56 His [sc. Thor's] lightning smites your enemies (evildoers all) and destroys their crops.

c. transitive. Of the wind, waves, etc.: to beat or dash against (something). Now archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > impinge upon [verb (transitive)] > forcibly or violently

beatOE

to run against ——a1425

smitec1450

quash1548

dash1611

kick1667

lashc1694

daud?1719

besmite1829

buck1861

tund1885

ram1897

prang1942

c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 248 Þe more grauel & sonde is smet & betyn wyth flodys of þe se, þe more salt & bytter it is.

1624 F. Quarles Iob Militant sig. D^v Which [Wind] with a full-mouth Blast, Hath smote the house.

1839 H. W. Longfellow Hyperion I. ii. 6 The storm-wind smites the wall of the mountain cliff.

1850 W. Wordsworth Prelude i. 21 With the din Smitten, the precipices rang aloud.

1920 M. Nicholson Blacksheep! Blacksheep! i. 23 The waves had begun to smite the rocks with dismaying ferocity.

1940 R. Wright Native Son ii. 215 Cold wind smote his face.

2006 J. Golding Secret of Sirens (2007) xvi. 265 The boom of waves smiting stone.

19.

a. transitive. Of a bell or clock: to strike (an hour) (now rare). Formerly also: †to announce (something) by sounding a bell (obsolete rare).

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > instruments for measuring time > signal marking the time > [verb (transitive)] > by ringing a bell, etc.

smite1370

ting1877

society > communication > indication > signalling > audible signalling > ringing of bells as signal > ring (a bell) as signal [verb (transitive)] > announce or proclaim by

ringOE

smite1370

knell1840

to ting in1880

buzz1914

1370 in J. Raine Fabric Rolls York Minster (1859) 181 (MED) Yai sall stande yar trewly wyrkande..till itte be hegh none smytyn by ye clocke.

1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 60 Ho-so komys aftyr prime be smytyn, he xal pay..j.d.

c1450 ( G. Chaucer Bk. Duchess (Fairf. 16) (1871) l. 1323 In the castell ther was a belle As hyt hadde smyte oures twelve Therewyth I a-wooke my selve.

1476 in C. L. Kingsford Stonor Lett. & Papers (1919) II. 8 (MED) The Cloke smote noynne.

c1500 (a1473) Syon Additions Sisters (Arundel) in J. Hogg Rewyll Seynt Sauioure (1980) IV. l. 158 Whylst..the president smyteth allyn, the couente schal stonde in the freytour.

?1557 Deceyte Women sig. h.ii^v Com to night to her house whan the clock hath smytten .vii.

1604 T. Middleton Blacke Bk. sig. F2 From this houre of a Leauen-clocke vpon blacke Munday, vntill it smite Twelue a clocke at Doomes-day.

1831 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 283 The Time-piece smites twelve.

1939 C. B. Roberts Second Man lvii. 216 The clock in the tower of the distant village court-house smiting eleven sounded clearly.

1962 Stud. Philol. 59 200 A Jack of the Clock House..smiting the hour of the fullness of time.

b. intransitive. Of a clock: to strike, chime. Now archaic and rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [verb (intransitive)] > strike or chime

smite1448

strike1550

1448–9 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) I. 383 He wold..neuer go to werke till the clocke smyte.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 966 Anone he herde a clocke smyte on hys ryght honde.

?1548 Order Churche Denmark in tr. J. Calvin Faythfvl Treat. Sacrament sig. Ev Whan the clocke smyteth (which is comenly .vii. in Sommer. but .viii. in wynter).

1578 M. Tyler tr. D. Ortúñez de Calahorra Mirrour Princely Deedes xxi. f. 49 The houre clock hath smitten thrice.

1617 J. Brinsley Pueriles Confabulatiunculæ f. 5^v Hath the clock smitten, or no?

1657 J. Livesey Enchiridion Judicum 287 The Clocks never smote all at once.

1958 T. H. White Once & Future King ii. xiv. 319 There were bells ringing, clocks smiting in belfries, standards floating—until the whole air above them seemed to be alive.

†20. intransitive. To work in a blacksmith's forge, striking hot metal with a hammer or (in later use) a sledgehammer. Originally in to smite with a (also the) hammer. Obsolete.In early use only in Isaiah 41:7.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (intransitive)] > work at forge

smithc1275

forge1382

smitea1425

smithy1733

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Isa. xli. 7 A smyth of metal smytynge with an hamer [L. faber aerarius percutiens malleo].

1560 Bible (Geneva) Isa. xli. 7 So the workeman comforted the founder & he that smote with the hammer, him that smote by course.

1827 London & Paris Observer 7 Oct. 630/2 If you will smite for me I will do so, and the work will soon be done.

1874 W. C. Smith Borland Hall iv. 173 Smiting with a hammer 'Mid the clangour and the clamour Of the anvil and the bellows.

1881 T. Hardy Laodicean I. i. iv. 74 The husband used to smite for Jimmy More the blacksmith.

1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. 685 Smite, to strike with the sledge in forging. The smith hammers, the assistant smites.

†21. transitive. To fire (a cannon). Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > management of artillery > operate (artillery) [verb (transitive)] > discharge (artillery)

swagec1420

smitea1475

playa1616

unload1633

to touch off1907

Archie1915

a1475 Friar & Boy (Brogyntyn) in J. O. Halliwell Early Eng. Misc. (1855) 52 That gonne was welle smet, Thoȝ it had be with a stonne.

†22. transitive. To let (blood) from a person by making an incision with a surgical instrument. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > bloodletting > let blood of [verb (transitive)] > by venesection

smite?1523

?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxvi^v Take a blode yron and sette it streight vpon the vayne, and smyte him blode on bothe sydes.

†III. To move quickly and related senses.

23.

a. intransitive. To move quickly; to rush; to dart; to shoot. Frequently with in or into. Obsolete.In quot. c1300 with reference to speaking: to move quickly on (to another topic).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly and suddenly

windc897

shootc1000

smite?c1225

flatc1300

lash13..

girda1400

shock?a1400

spara1400

spritc1400

whipc1440

skrim1487

glance1489

spang1513

whip1540

squirt1570

flirt1582

fly1590

sprunt1601

flame1633

darta1640

strike1639

jump1720

skite1721

scoot1758

jink1789

arrow1827

twitch1836

skive1854

sprint1899

skyhoot1901

catapult1928

slingshot1969

book1977

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 75 Ase swifte..as is þe sunne gleam þe smit from east into west.

a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) l. 343 Vt of his ðrote it smit an onde.

c1300 St. Dunstan (Harl.) l. 74 in F. J. Furnivall Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 36 (MED) Treoflinge heo smot her and þer in anoþer tale sone.

c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 495 Þe lyoun smoot in to þe est.

1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) cxxix. 194 Thyse thre smote in emong the .xxx. turkes.

a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 6448 Be then was þe boore full hote; He fonde a dyke and yn he smote.

b. transitive (reflexive). To rush or move quickly out or into; to dash or throw oneself against something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > impinge [verb (reflexive)]

smitec1325

impinge1660

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 8323 Hii bisede vaste þe toun so þat þe þridde day Þe cristine ost smot him out.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 2341 So that ayein a Roche of Ston,..He smot himself til he was ded.

1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos lx. sig. Liij [They] ranne soone to fetche theyr armures. And thenne Turnus smote hym selfe in to the troians.

24. intransitive. To come together (also †samen, †to-samen) in conflict or battle; to clash. Also transitive (reflexive). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle

to come togetherOE

to lay togetherc1275

smitec1275

to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297

joustc1330

meetc1330

copec1350

assemblea1375

semblea1375

coup?a1400

to fight togethera1400

strikea1400

joinc1400

to join the battle1455

to commit battle?a1475

rencounter1497

to set ina1500

to pitch a battlea1513

concura1522

rescounter1543

scontre1545

journey1572

shock1575

yoke1581

to give in1610

mix1697

to engage a combat1855

to run (or ride) a-tilt1862

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2585 Heo smiten [c1300 Otho smete] to-gædere. helmes þere gullen.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12779 Þes drake and beore..smiten heom to-gaderen mid feondliche ræsen.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2109 Ðe ranc he hauen ðo ouer-cumen, To-samen it smiten.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) 3 Esdras ii. 22 Kingis and cites smitende togidere.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 161 [They] smote togedyrs with hir swerdys, that hir sheldis flew in cantellys.

a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 1893 Now þey smyten faste samen: I wot, ther was lytull gamen.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. v. sig. D8^v As when a Gryfon..A Dragon fiers encountreth..: With hideous horror both together smight.

IV. To have an effect on a person or a person's mind or emotions and related senses.

25.

a. transitive. With into (formerly also †in). To cause (a person or (occasionally) an animal) to be in a particular state or condition, esp. suddenly or unexpectedly. In later use chiefly in passive.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > specific animate object > bring into specific condition by

smitea1325

strikea1535

ding1770

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3742 Moyses told hem al ðis answere, And he ben smiten in sorwes dere.

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Zech. xii. 4 Y shal smyte eche hors in to dreed, or leesyng of mynde, and the styer of hym in to wodenesse [L. amentiam].

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 1076 Þei were a partie smyten into elde.

a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xxvi. l. 284 (MED) I..Am an Old man & smeten Into Elde.

a1475 Sidrak & Bokkus (Lansd.) (1999) II. l. 7816 For his kunnyng shal he noght Smite him into an yuel þoght.

1582 T. Bentley Seuenth Lampe Virginitie in Sixt Lampe Virginitie 327 The Iewes hearing this matter, were wonderfully smitten into saddenesse.

1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 29 If we look not wisely on the Sun it self, it smites us into darknes.

1678 T. Jones Of Heart & Soveraign 210 Every conscience, (upon its reflection and sence of such a War) is..smitten into Infinite repentance and restitution.

1828 Rep. Proc. Dublin Metrop. Reformation Soc. 70 They were smitten into deep abasement at the Atheist's mad assertion.

1899 C. M. Sheldon In his Steps (rev. ed.) i. 9 Henry Maxwell..stood there smitten into dumb astonishment at the event.

1922 Christian Cent. 9 Nov. 1395/1 Pasteur was dead and immortalized before our university town was smitten into an interest in milk inspection.

1976 Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.) 26 Feb. 17/1 If they were girls, it smote them into wedlock.

2013 J. Braly Life in Marital Inst. iii. 19 I looked up to strike back but was smitten into silence by a remarkable pair of legs sheathed in black spandex.

†b. transitive. With adjective as complement: to cause (a person) to be in a specified condition. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. iii. vii. 208 Rabidity smites others rabid.

26.

a. transitive. Of the heart, conscience, or spirit: to cause (a person) to have painful feelings such as guilt or remorse; to distress; to disquiet. Now literary or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > upset or perturb [verb (transitive)] > of the heart or conscience

smitea1382

society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > repentance or contrition > repent (sin, wrongdoing, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > affect with remorse > prick, smite, etc., with remorse

prickOE

smitea1382

tanga1400

grudgec1460

to hit home1627

twinge1647

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 2 Kings xxiv. 10 Þe herte of dauiþ smoot [L. percussit] hym aftir þat þe puple is noumbrid.

1584 Counter-poyson 145 His owne conscience smote him with the gylte of it.

1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. xxiv. 5 Dauids heart smote him, because he had cut off Sauls skirt.

a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1659 (1955) III. 229 My heart smote me for it.

1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 126 My Heart smote me, suggesting how much better this Poor Man's Foundation was, on which he staid in the Danger, than mine.

1795 S. J. Pratt Gleanings through Wales I. ix. 116 Our townfolk imagine his conscience smites him.

1806 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Inferno II. xix. 29 Meanwhile, as thus I sung, he, whether wrath Or conscience smote him, violent upsprang.

a1858 H. W. Herbert Fair Puritan (1875) v. 38 His spirit smote him for his unkindness.

1913 T. Hardy Changed Man 262 His heart smote him at the thought that..he might have been the means of forwarding the unhappy fugitive's capture.

1951 Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gaz. 25 Oct. 32/3 Its plot is..about a man running away from his wife and smitten by his conscience.

2001 G. Morris Jacob's Way 115 Reisa noticed how slowly Jacob moved, and her heart smote her.

b. transitive. To trouble (the conscience, heart, etc.); to cause painful feelings in (a person). Cf. to smite to a person's heart at Phrases 2.In quot. ?a1425 as part of an extended metaphor in which the mind or soul is compared to a fortress under attack.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > upset or perturb [verb (transitive)]

to-wendc893

mingeOE

dreveOE

angerc1175

sturb?c1225

worec1225

troublec1230

sturble1303

disturbc1305

movea1325

disturblec1330

drubblea1340

drovec1350

distroublec1369

tempestc1374

outsturba1382

unresta1382

stroublec1384

unquietc1384

conturb1393

mismaya1400

unquemea1400

uneasec1400

discomfita1425

smite?a1425

perturbc1425

pertrouble?1435

inquiet1486

toss1526

alter1529

disquiet1530

turmoil1530

perturbate1533

broil1548

mis-set?1553

shake1567

parbruilyiec1586

agitate1587

roil1590

transpose1594

discompose1603

harrow1609

hurry1611

obturb1623

shog1636

untune1638

alarm1649

disorder1655

begruntlea1670

pother1692

disconcert1695

ruffle1701

tempestuate1702

rough1777

caddle1781

to put out1796

upset1805

discomfort1806

start1821

faze1830

bother1832

to put aback1833

to put about1843

raft1844

queer1845

rattle1865

to turn over1865

untranquillize1874

hack1881

rock1881

to shake up1884

to put off1909

to go (also pass) through a phase1913

to weird out1970

?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 349 (MED) I suffre þe intellect for to be smyte of a maner derknes of þe soule.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 1366 Thi febyll wordis sall nocht my conscience smyt.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xxiv. 5 It smote him afterwarde in his hert, because he had cut of the typpe of Sauls garment.

1696 W. D. Mercy Triumphant 116 The Lord smote my conscience, and sorely troubled my spirit for this backsliding.

1790 ‘Andronicus’ Key to Pilgrim's Progress xiii. 151 The convincing Power of the Law is dreadful when it smites the Conscience for particular Sins.

1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vii. xxii. 167 Her flight..smote my lonesome heart more than all misery.

1874 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Mar. 371/2 With a look of compassion and pitiful sweetness which smote him to the very soul.

1944 Jrnl. Relig. 24 198/2 A great and deep sorrow smote his heart.

2013 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 9 Oct. 31 An appeal..may, even after all these years, smite their conscience and prompt them to tell what they know.

27.

a. transitive. Chiefly in passive with with (later also by). To impress or strike (esp. a person) suddenly or strongly with a particular passion, feeling or emotion, esp. with a painful feeling such as fear, remorse, or grief; to afflict.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > quality of affecting the emotions > affect with emotion [verb (transitive)] > strike with emotion

smitea1393

incuss1527

strike1533

incute1542

rapt?1577

fix1664

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 265 Withoute good discrecioun This king with avarice is smite.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15643 Wit strang dred he smiton was.

a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 1846 (MED) Mankynd..Wyth Schryfte and Penauns he is smete.

c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) lviii Artow seke or smyt with jelousye?

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxi. A I am afrayed, and my flesh is smytten with feare.

a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Prophetesse iii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Eeee^v/1 'T was I that..smote ye all with terrour.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 559 But Satan smitten with amazement fell.

1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. i. 354 Smit with Love of Honourable Deeds.

1794 R. Snowden Amer. Revol. II. i. 8 The Barbarians were smitten with fear and fled.

1829 T. Hood Dream Eugene Aram in Gem 1 111 The Usher took six hasty strides, As smit with sudden pain.

1854 C. Dickens Hard Times i. xii. 96 He had sometimes seen a shade of melancholy on her blessed face, that smote him with remorse and despair.

1872 ‘Adeline’ Annesley Court xxii. 216 He was..harrowed by remorse, smitten by dread.

1923 U. L. Silberrad Lett. Jean Armiter ii. 50 Jethro is smitten with admiration of her agility; ‘nippiness’ he calls it.

1973 Official Rep. Deb. (Council of Europe Consultative Assembly, 24th Ordinary Sess. (Second Part)) II. 529/2 It is a tragedy that none of us comes to the real frontiers of understanding until his soul is smitten by grief.

2007 C. S. Dagnan Chocolate Kisses for Couples vi. 115 I'm smitten with guilt. Surely we could do something more practical, more urgent with this money.

b. transitive. Of a thought, an idea, etc.: to occur suddenly to (a person); to strike; to enter (the brain or mind).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > idea, notion, or concept > occur to [verb (transitive)] > suddenly

smite1797

1797 M. Robinson Walsingham II. xxvi. 35 At that instant an idea smote my brain.

1854 G. W. M. Reynolds Myst. Court London II. 3rd Ser. 188/1 The conviction smote him that this was the lady who had purchased the poison.

1870 W. M. Baker New Timothy 104 A sudden thought smote her.

1907 Everybody's Mag. July 72/2 In the midst of his amazement, a sudden recollection smote him.

1918 Outlook 10 July 429/1 My mind was smitten with the absurd idea that it was the French Sopwith we had been sent to protect!

2002 B. D. Michel Fortress of Rebel 322 When she finally reined in her emotions, another thought smote her.

†28. intransitive. With in or into. To pass or fall into (a particular state). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > change [verb (intransitive)] > pass into state, become

yworthOE

worthOE

goOE

becomec1175

come?a1200

waxc1220

charea1225

aworthc1275

makea1300

fallc1300

breedc1325

grow1340

strikea1375

yern1377

entera1382

turna1400

smitec1400

raxa1500

resolvea1500

to get into ——?1510

waxen1540

get1558

prove1560

proceed1578

befall1592

drop1654

evade1677

emerge1699

to turn out1740

to gain into1756

permute1864

slip1864

c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1763 With smoþe smylyng & smolt þay smeten in-to merþe.

a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 1196 (MED) To þe erthe he felle downe And smete in a grete swowne.

†29. intransitive. With in. Of a thought: to enter suddenly into a person's mind. Obsolete.In quot. c1450 with it as anticipatory subject and that-clause as complement.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > idea, notion, or concept > come to mind, occur [verb (intransitive)] > suddenly

smitec1450

shoot1542

rejounce1556

to break in1713

to cross one's mind, etc. (rarely to cross one)1768

surge up1853

strobe1977

c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 20 It smate in his mynd þat it was bod ane illusion of þe devull.

30. intransitive. With on or upon. To impact strongly on or upon a person or thing; to assault (the ear). Now rare (literary in later use).

ΚΠ

1639 T. Cary tr. J. Puget de la Serre Mirrour which flatters Not i. 8 Whatsoever shall smite upon his eare, will resound nothing but the bruit of his flight, and yet he will not thinke upon his retreat.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 298 The torrid Clime Smote on him sore besides.

1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc viii. 303 The Maid started—for the sound Smote on her heart.

1837 J. G. Whittier in N.-Y. Mirror 30 Dec. 210/1 Iron clang and hammer's ringing, Smote upon his ear.

1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. iii. 36 The words smote heavily on Eliza's heart.

1917 A. E. W. Mason Four Corners of World 99 The sharp contrast between the grime of the town and the loveliness of green and leaf.., smote upon him almost with pain.

1968 E. Bowen Eva Trout i. ix. 100 The bedlam of the café smote upon them..commandingly.

31.

a. transitive. To inspire passion or love, esp. romantic love, in (a person or the heart); to enamour. Chiefly in passive with with or by (the object of love). Cf. smitten adj. and n.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > be in love or infatuated with [verb (transitive)] > inflame with love or desire

enamour1303

assot1393

burna1400

shoot?1473

esprise1474

talent1486

enamorate1591

inamorate1624

smite1652

besmite1685

to be struck on1893

1652 tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède Cleopatra ii. 97 By degrees, from a particular esteem which she had for him, she passed into a well-wishing, which insensibly introduced a reall love of him. Had any woman else been so smitten, she would have concealed it for ever.

1663 S. Pepys Diary 1 Jan. (1971) IV. 1 Lord Chesterfield..is..put away from Court upon the score of his lady's having smitten the Duke of York.

1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 80. ⁋3 Phillis one Day..smote the Heart of a gay West-Indian.

a1753 P. Drake Memoirs (1755) II. xiv. 243 He soon gave me to understand he was smitten with the Landlady.

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xvii. 149 Young..Lieutenant Spatterdash..was evidently and quickly smitten by Mrs. Crawley.

1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. i. iii. 39 Hath one of you a girl with whom he's smitten.

1936 J. Cary Afr. Witch xviii. 275 I know why you're going with the man—it's because you're smitten by the young sister.

2012 Hoosier Times (Bloomington, Indiana) 30 Dec. (Herald-Times ed.) (Parade section) 8/1 I was smitten with Deborah, but she viewed me as her buddy, her pal.

b. transitive. To create a favourable impression on (a person, the mind, etc.); to strike (a person) favourably; to impress. Chiefly in passive with with or by.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > effect produced on emotions > have an effect on [verb (transitive)] > favourably

smite1665

1665 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim 158 They note the pretty stories,..and here and there a small sentence which smites their fancy.

1729 A. Pope Dunciad (new ed.) iii. 227 See now, what Dulness and her sons admire; See! what the charms, that smite the simple heart.

1785 W. Cowper Task v. 210 Smit with the beauty of so fair a scene.

1847 H. Miller Test. Rocks (1857) 3 Smit by the singular ingenuity of the philosophic infidel.

1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 191 Plato is smitten with some features of government which he finds in Egypt.

1959 Arizona Republic 26 Oct. 23/1 She visited Roosevelt Dam and was smitten by the beauty of America's first reclamation project.

2008 C. Dorn Hierophant of 100th Street xiv. 132 He was smitten by the intelligence of her coppery eyes.

Phrases

P1.

a. to smite (a person, animal, etc.) to (the) death: to kill (a person or animal), often with a sword or other weapon. Also figurative.Frequently with reference to biblical use.Cf. to beat (also stone, †slay, etc.) to death at death n. Phrases 1a(a), and to the death at death n. Phrases 2a(a).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (transitive)] > strike severely > so as to cause serious injury or death

slayc893

to smite to deathc1175

smitec1275

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14677 Abraham..hof þe swerd..To smitenn itt [sc. Isaac] to dæde.

c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 4941 Þer he carf wiþ swerd and smot Mani to þe deþ.

c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. iii. l. 322 Ne no man bere wepne, And what smyth þat ony smyteth [probably read smytheth; c1400 Trin. Cambr. B.15.17 smyþeþ] be smyte þerwith to dethe.

1592 A. Munday tr. L. T. A. Masque of League sig. M^v God smote to death three-score and ten men of the chiefest sort.

1679 J. Cave Serm. Jan. 30 25 He [sc. David] caused the poor Amalekite to be smitten to death for having a hand in his blood.

1765 L. Abbott Poems Var. Subj. 27 An hundred thousand at the first Essay He smote to Death.

a1822 P. B. Shelley in Athenæum (1832) 8 Dec. 794/3 The abortion, with which she travaileth, Is Liberty, smitten to death.

1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxviii. 113 When those monster birds..his arrow Smote to the death.

1908 Times 5 Feb. 11/3 The kind, manly, friendly King..is smitten to death as he sits.

1932 Van Wert (Ohio) Daily Bull. 5 Nov. 4/3 The Democrats..sword in hand, declared they would bring forth measures that would smite to the death all our economic troubles.

2015 Africa News (Nexis) 9 Jan. The same God that caused Herod to be smitten to death and eaten up by worms is still around.

b. to smite (a person or animal) dead: to kill (a person or animal).

ΚΠ

a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) v. ix. l. 91 In the skyis [he] smait hir ded.

1652 in J. Raymond Making News (1993) iv. 187 The blow was admirable, and the providence wonderfull; for some had no harm at all while others were smitten dead that touched them.

1708 J. Woodward Greivous Scandal Prophane Lang. (ed. 2) 13 It would have been better for you, that God should have smitten you dead on the spot.

1832 Penny Mag. 15 Sept. 235/2 In glided the snake... I stood prepared and instantly smote him dead.

1905 B. Burleigh Empire of East xviii. 273 When the first glinting white-steel frost comes careering down from Siberia, these venomous, countless myriads [of flies] are smitten dead.

1999 Hobart Mercury (Nexis) 6 Feb. Cloisters of learning, inhabited by clever dicks who will smite you dead if you split an infinitive.

†P2. to smite to a person's heart: to trouble a person's heart; to affect a person emotionally. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)] > afflict with pangs

pingeOE

prickOE

bite?c1200

to smite to a person's hearta1225

stingc1386

hita1400

tanga1400

prickle?a1513

pang1520

punch1548

stimulate1548

twinge1647

a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 135 (MED) Ȝif hitt [sc. desire] cumð ofte smitende to ðin hierte, wite þu to soðe ðat hit is of dieule.

c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 1481 Hit smot to hornes herte So bitere þat hit smerte.

?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 74 Ȝour swemynge smytyht to myn hert depe.

P3. to smite (a person or thing) to the ground (also earth, floor): to knock or strike (a person or thing) to the ground (also with object implied). Also figurative: to destroy. Cf. to smite down 1 at Phrasal verbs. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low > knock down

to smite (a person or thing) to the groundc1250

weve13..

pallc1390

to knock downc1450

nolpc1540

call1729

c1250 in Englische Studien (1935) 70 234 (MED) Wid one asse chehec bone he smet hine to grunde.

c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 639 Hi gonne me assaille,..Ismot hem alle to grunde.

c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 550 (MED) By þre, by foure, myd þe tayle To þe grounde he smoot.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 172 To ground he smat him quhar he stud.

?1533 W. Tyndale Expos. Mathew v. f. li If he wyl not yelde in the kynges name, thou must laye on and smyte hym to grounde tyll he be subdued.

1650 Mercurius Pragmaticus (for King Charls II) No. 44. sig. Xx He can at pleasure smite them to the earth, and lay all their accumulated mountains of self promised happinesse levell with the lowest ditches of misery.

1782 H. More David & Goliath iii. in Sacred Dramas 91 The famish'd lion by his griesly beard, Enrag'd, I caught, and smote him to the ground.

1834 S. L. Knapp Tales of Garden of Kosciuszko 198 No man is always a brute; and he did not smite her to the floor.

1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 249 The last hopes of the House of Godwine had been smitten to the ground.

1908 A. Lang Maid of France xiv. 158 She was smitten to the earth, but sprang up crying, ‘Amis, amis, sus, sus!’

1948 W. S. Churchill Second World War I. ii. 28 The means of exchange of goods and services between man and man was smitten to the ground.

†P4. to smite fire: to produce fire, esp. by striking a flint or other stone. In later use only with from. Cf. to strike fire at strike v. 30a(a), slay v.¹ 2. Obsolete (rare in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > produce by striking > specific fire or sparks

to smite firec1300

strike?c1450

c1300 St. Brendan (Laud) l. 644 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 237 He brouȝte a fuyr-Ire ant a ston, Þare-with to smite me fuyr.

a1425 Medulla Gram. (Stonyhurst) f. 29^v Fugillo, smyte fure.

a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) ii. l. 2503 Piroides..Fro flyntes smet fir daryng in the roote.

a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 298 Whan þe nyȝt com, þe maide..smot fire at a stone.

1546 T. Langley tr. P. Vergil Abridgem. Notable Worke ii. xii. f. lix The shepardes diuised to smyte fyre by rubbyng of two peces of wood together.

1616 B. Jonson Speeches at Prince Henries Barriers 43 in Wks. I When in a day of honour fire was smit.

1671 J. Webster Metallographia vii. 115 He nameth four of other colours, forth of which fire is smitten.

1777 S. J. Pratt Trav. for Heart II. 129 They wished the friar in Heaven, for having smitten fire from the flint.

1879 E. Arnold Light of Asia iv. 97 Men Perished in winter-winds till one smote fire From flint-stones coldly hiding what they held.

P5. Nautical. to smite the mizzen: to pull a rope attached to the mizzen sail in order to allow the sail to deploy. Now historical.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > strike or take in (sails) > lower (sail) > pull rope in order to

to smite the mizzena1625

a1625 H. Mainwaring Nomenclator Navalis (Harl. 2301) 127 This Line is called a Smitting Line soe they smite the missen, that is pull the Roape that the Saile maie come downe.

1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Smite the missen, is to pull the aforesaid Rope [sc. the Smiting Line] that the Sail may fall down.

1870 R. Burn Naval & Mil. Techn. Dict. French Lang. (ed. 5) 208/2 Largue l'artimon! smite the mizzen!

1984 J. Harland Seamanship in Age of Sail v. 77/2 Smiting the mizzen, a ‘smiting line’ was made fast at the forward end of the yard, and made up with the sail... At the order, pulling the line broke the stops successively, allowing the canvas to deploy.

†P6. Cambridge University slang. to smite one's tutor: to get money from one's tutor. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue To smite one's tutor, to get money from him.

1794 Gentleman's Mag. Dec. 1085/1 I resolved in this dilemma to smite my tutor.

Phrasal verbs

With adverbs in specialized senses. to smite down (formerly also †to smite adown)

1. transitive. To knock, beat, or strike down; to cut down with a sword or other weapon. Also figurative. Now chiefly literary or archaic.In quot. c1225 in to smite down one's knees to the earth: to fall to one's knees; to kneel down.Also with to the ground, earth, etc. (cf. to smite (a person or thing) to the ground (also earth, floor) at Phrases 3).

ΚΠ

c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 22 (MED) Ha..smat smeortliche adun hire cneon to þer eorðe &..to Crist..cleopede.

c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 567 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 316 Hov is þat hit..smit a-doun wel grete treon?

c1330 Simonie (Auch.) (1991) l. 360 Þat is muchel reuþe To wite Þat alle manere godnesse is þus adoun ismite.

c1450 (a1400) Libeaus Desconus (Calig. A.ii) (1969) l. 1185 Þre stedes heeddes doun ryȝt He smot at strokes þre.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxlii. A For the enemie..smyteth my life downe to the grounde.

1611 Bible (King James) Judges xx. 39 Surely they are smitten downe before vs.

1642 J. B. Speciall Newes Army at Warwicke sig. A2 The Kings red Regiment of 12. hundred men..were..then abundantly smitten downe by the Orange Coats.

a1741 T. Emlyn Serm. (1742) vii. 131 That surprizing stroke, which has smitten down to the ground one of the greatest lives in the world.

1785 G. Butt Isaiah Versified xxvi. 116 Dead are the tyrants, nor return to light; Thy hand hath smote 'em down no more to rise.

1839 L. H. Sigourney in Christian Keepsake 78 The parent may be doomed to see the child, in whom his proudest hopes were garnered up, smite down those hopes.

1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick cxxiv. 571 The lightning has actually struck the vessel, so as to smite down some of the spars and rigging.

1920 R. Kipling et al. in Q. Horati Flacci Carminum Librum Quintum v. 17 For fierce she-Britons, apt to smite Their upward-climbing sisters down.

2016 M. Schorr Identity Crisis xxii. 139 It wasn't just the higher power I needed to worry about smiting me down. I'd..discovered that what we'd done was breaking the law.

†2. transitive. To lower or hang (one's head or face). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > posture > position of specific body parts > position specific body part [verb (transitive)] > head, face, or eyes

warpc1175

lout1297

to smite downa1350

to cast downc1374

embowc1440

droop1582

vail1586

upturn1667

slink1683

poke1852

a1350 in R. H. Robbins Hist. Poems 14th & 15th Cent. (1959) 13 When the kyng of fraunce y-herde this tydynge, he smot doun is heued.

a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) ii. l. 540 Wiþ þat he smot a-down his hed a-noon And gan to motre.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 466 Than she smote downe the hede and seyde but lytyll.

1534 Prymer in Eng. sig. H.vii^v When he had sayde these wordes, he smyte downe his heade & let go his breath And lo, the veile of the temple was cut in two partes.

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 54 Downe she smote her visadge.

to smite off

transitive. To cut off (a person's head, hands, etc.) with a sword or other weapon. Now archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > strike off with a blow

to smite offa1225

latch1535

wipe1596

to knock offa1616

slat1828

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > detach [verb (transitive)] > cut off > with a sweeping stroke

to smite offa1225

off-swipc1275

to strike offc1485

wipe1596

slash1689

to sweep off1707

a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 29 Al swa eða þu mihtest..smiten of þin aȝen heaueð and gan eft to þin aȝene liche.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13999 (MED) Ich igrap mi sweord leofe..and smæt of Modred is hafd.

a1300 Passion our Lord l. 198 in R. Morris Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 43 Seynte peter..smot of Malkes ere.

a1350 St. Juliana (Ashm.) (1957) 86 Com uorþ..my manquellare..And smyt of hire heued.

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 328 Dardan for his lance doun to þe erth went & smote his hede of.

c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1817 Men myghte smyte of hire arm or hed.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xiv. 222 He and frelent were besy to smyte of his heed.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 674 He..commaunded his heade there to be smitten off.

a1618 W. Raleigh Life & Death Mahomet (1637) 203 With his own hands cut his throat and smoat off his head.

1682 W. Gough Londinum Triumphans 196 They..having him in their hands smote off his Head.

1717 J. Hughes tr. Suetonius Lives XII. Cæsars II. 303 Chærea..smote off his Jaw at a blow.

1799 E. Du Bois Fairy of Misfortune iv. 20 He..smote off the arm of a soldier.

1851 G. Borrow Lavengro II. vii. 47 When the fight was lost and his own two hands smitten off, [he] seized two chests of gold with his bloody stumps.

1860 Dial Apr. 236 He..seized the sword and smote off Carle's head.

1900 G. Murray Andromache iii. 112 Smite off his feet that he shall not pursue, and his hands that he may never lay hold of me!

1998 Analecta Hibernica No. 37. 204 Among his captors was a knave of Ireland,..who took a rusty sword and smote off his head with half a dozen strokes.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	smite
释义	smiten.¹ Brit. /smʌɪt/, U.S. /smaɪt/ Forms: Middle English smete, Middle English smyte, Middle English 1600s– smite, 1900s– smoit (Irish English (northern)). Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: smite v. Etymology: < smite v. Compare smit n.³ 1. a. A heavy blow or stroke, esp. with a weapon. Also: the sound made by such a blow. Occasionally figurative. In later use chiefly literary or archaic. Cf. smit n.³ ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sound of blow or fall > [noun] smitea1200 smita1425 yark1555 riprapc1580 brattlea1600 verberation1609 whack1737 whang1770 swash1789 plunk1809 tack1821 pong1823 snop1849 thunge1849 knap1870 thung1890 pow1931 thunk1952 bonk1957 the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > [noun] > striking heavily > a heavy blow smitea1200 ponder1339 clouta1400 whopc1440 routa1450 maul1481 sousec1500 dunta1522 flake1559 lambskin1573 lamback1592 daud1596 baster1600 mell1658 thumper1682 lounder1723 smash1725 plumper1756 spanker1772 douser1782 thud1787 bash1805 stave1819 batter1823 belter1823 wallop1823 whacker1823 belt1825 smasher1829 dingbat1843 dinger1845 oner1861 squeaker1877 clod1886 wham1923 dong1941 a1200 (?OE) MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 207 Þenne me hine pined mid hunger..and smerte smiten of smale longe ȝerden. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 269 Brutus heom smat on mid his grime smite [c1300 Otho reses]. c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 9013 Þo þe smite [c1425 Harl. smytyn] of lance was ido to þe suerd hii nome. c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 9774 It carf so wel men miȝt delite Þat witeþ þe geaunce of þis smite. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 140 Ase zone ase he y-hyerþ þane smite of þe lodes-manne. a1450 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Caius) l. 4145 + 16 Þat þouȝt B[eues]. a good smyte [a1500 Cambr. smete]. 1646 tr. Benet of Canfield Bright Starre xvii. 182 The second smite of the Rod. 1677 S. Speed Prison-pietie 45 Surely thy meaning only was to fright, As an advice that I might shun a smite. 1792 J. O'Keeffe Wild Oats (new ed.) iii. 36 Is thy inclination turn'd to the voice of trumpets, and smites [1791 sounds] of mighty slaughter? 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 205 The Main-kirk rang wi' slaps and smites. 1848 J. Birch tr. Nibelungen Lied 214 Hawart's liegeman below, Received from Hagen's mighty sword so terrible a smite, That it cut through his shield and helm. 1920 O. R. Cohen Come Seven 407 An idea came full panoplied from the void and smote him hip and thigh. It smote him a terrifically hard smite. 1976 Psychoanalytic Q. 45 117 A Turkish armourer..takes the twins at their word, and divides them both at the waist with one mighty smite of his sword. 2007 Sunday Mercury (Nexis) 23 Sept. (Features section) 22 How about some good old-fashioned Biblical smiting?..I'd like him to be given a really hard smite between the legs. b. Originally and chiefly Cricket. A hit made by striking the ball very hard. 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- 1861 Bell's Life in London 25 Aug. Suppl. 2/1 A. H. soon ran up 12, and the ‘old-un’ 3, both being bowled by Lyttleton—they having a good ‘smite’ at their respective balls. 1888 R. H. Lyttelton in A. G. Steel & R. H. Lyttelton Cricket (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) ii. 39 There is one hit in particular that in these days is very seldom seen—that is, the smite to long-leg with a horizontal bat. 1898 G. Giffen With Bat & Ball ii. 19 Since Trott hit one over [the boundary] at square leg, Jack Lyons and Tom Garrett have effected a similar smite. 1915 Boston Post 12 May 14/1 Only four safe hits did the Red Sox obtain..one of these being a mighty smite for three bases by Duffy Lewis. 1987 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 4 Feb. (Sport section) 57 Andrew Allen, 23, won the Australian amateur long-driving championship with a smite of 278.5 metres. 2001 Guardian 28 Mar. 26/4 Alongside Kaluwitharana was Marvan Atapattu..whose smite down the ground completed Sri Lanka's victory. 2. †a. A slight indication or intimation of something. Cf. cast n. 9. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > [noun] > an indication or sign > slight sparklec1380 odourc1384 smell?a1505 savour?1531 casta1556 obumbrationa1631 smite1640 subindication1655 smattering1764 whiff1872 breath1873 1640 G. Him in N. Wallington Hist. Notices (1869) I. 128 I might say more, but this I do to give you a smite of our condition. b. Chiefly with a and followed by of. A tiny amount of something; a little bit; the least amount. Chiefly U.S. and British regional. 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 1843 ‘R. Carlton’ New Purchase I. xix. 175 Not a smite of noise, only my breathing and a sort of pittinpattin sound of my heart! a1852 F. M. Whitcher Widow Bedott Papers (1856) v. 50 But it dident do a smite o' good. 1881 W. Paul Past & Present Aberdeenshire 52 Its an unco little smite o' tobacco that ye get noo for a bawbee. 1911 D. H. Lawrence White Peacock (U.S. ed.) iii. vii. 491 Why tha 'asna aten a smite, not a smite! 1996 C. I. Macafee Conc. Ulster Dict. 315/1 Smite, the least amount, a tiny particle. 2005 ‘Mr. Skin’ Skincyclopedia 273/1 She's wearing nothing but suds in both films but only shows a smite of boobage in Up 'n' Under. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † smiten.² Forms: pre-1700 smyt, pre-1700 smytis (plural), pre-1700 smyttes (plural). Origin: A borrowing from Middle Low German. Etymon: Middle Low German smīte. Etymology: < Middle Low German smīte (1437 as smyte ), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to smīten smite v. Compare Dutch smijt (17th cent.), German †Schmeite, †Schmiete (18th cent. or earlier, rare). Scottish. Obsolete. Probably: a rope attached to either of the lower corners of a sail. Cf. tack n.¹ 5a. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > rigging > [noun] > running rigging > sheet or brace sheet1336 swing-rope1336 shoot1405 mainbrace1485 mainsheet1485 top-sheet1485 smite1494 tailing-rope1495 tail-rope1495 brace1626 stern-sheets1626 trimmers1630 fore-sheet1669 jib-sheet1825 boom-sheet1836 1494 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 253 Item, fra Will Forstar, tua smytis and ane peis of auld toll [= tow, rope], xviij s. 1512 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1902) IV. 304 Tua smytis of gret ȝarne of viij^c xlv pund wecht. a1612 J. Melville Celeusma Nauticum in Dict. Older Sc. Tongue at Smit The ship maide snoge, scheitis, smyts, ties all fast. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online December 2021). smitev. Brit. /smʌɪt/, U.S. /smaɪt/ Inflections: Past tense smote, smited; past participle smitten, smited; Forms: 1. Present stem Old English smitan, Old English smytan (in prefixed forms), early Middle English simten (infinitive, transmission error), early Middle English smieth (probably transmission error), early Middle English smitenn ( Ormulum), Middle English smete (northern), Middle English smett (northern), Middle English smiȝte, Middle English smijte, Middle English smist (2nd singular), Middle English smitt (northern), Middle English smitte (northern), Middle English smiyte, Middle English smyȝt, Middle English smyȝte, Middle English smyȝthe, Middle English smyht, Middle English smyit, Middle English smyst (2nd singular), Middle English smytestou (with personal pronoun affixed), Middle English smyth, Middle English smythe, Middle English–1500s smyght, Middle English–1600s smit, Middle English–1600s smyt, Middle English–1600s smyte, Middle English (1600s Scottish) smytt, Middle English– smite, late Middle English smat (transmission error), 1500s smitt- (Scottish, inflected form), 1500s smote (Scottish, probably transmission error), 1500s–1600s smight, Middle English–1500s (1600s Scottish) smytte; also 3rd singular indicative Old English smitt (in prefixed forms), Middle English smit, Middle English smitte, Middle English smyȝt, Middle English smyȝth, Middle English smyt, Middle English smyth, Middle English smytt, Middle English smytte, Middle English swyteþ (transmission error), Middle English symteþ (transmission error). OE Lacnunga (2001) I. xxxi. 20 Smite mon ða sealfe ærest on þæt heafod.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14677 To smitenn itt to dæde.c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) l. 78 Al þat þu mist..smiten [a1300 Jesus Oxf. smyten].c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in Trans. Philol. Soc. (1906) 8* M[an]. with hamur smyt on the anfelde.?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 28 This ryuere cometh rennynge..& after it smytt vn to londe.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. iv. sig. D5^v For him likewise he quickly downe did smight.c1639 W. Mure Psalmes cxli. 5 in Wks. (1898) II. 218 Me let the righteouse smytt.1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. i. 8 I smite them once more for engraving their coat of arms at the top.1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. iii. vii. 208 Rabidity smites others rabid.1994 A. Habens Dreamhouse (1997) vi. 149 The two men smite their hands together in strange glee.2006 J. Golding Secret of Sirens (2007) xvi. 265 The boom of waves smiting stone. 2. Past tense. a. Strong. (i). Originally 1st and 3rd singular indicative. α. (chiefly early or northern in Middle English) Old English–Middle English smat, early Middle English siriat (transmission error), early Middle English smæt, Middle English–1500s smate; Scottish pre-1700 smaat, pre-1700 smait, pre-1700 smate, pre-1700 smayt, pre-1700 1800s smat. eOE Corpus Gloss. (1890) 68/2 Inpingit, smat, gemaercode.c1200 ( West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Hatton) xxvi. 68 Hwæt ys se þe þe smat [OE Corpus Cambr. sloh]?c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10137 Me hine smæt [c1300 Otho smot] mid smærte ȝerden.?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 8426 Hengist agayn anoþer smat [rhyme sat].c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 516 With his spere he smate hym thrugh.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ix. xii Quhou Turnus the big Pandarus smat [v.r. smate] down.1860 Banffshire Jrnl. 21 Feb. 2 The snaw killed the feck an' he smat a' the lave. β. Middle English smete, Middle English smite, Middle English smyte. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 121 Summe..hehten hine aredan hwa hit were þet hine smite.c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 942 Gij oȝain to him smite [rhyme hete].a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 1196 He..smete in a grete swowne. γ. Middle English–1500s smet; Scottish pre-1700 smet, pre-1700 smett. c1250 in Englische Studien (1935) 70 234 Wid one asse chehec bone he smet hine to grunde.a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) l. 4109 I smet hym..with repentaunce.a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. l. 53925 Ane,..with his fist vpoun the face him smet. δ. Middle English smoitte, Middle English smoot, Middle English smoote, Middle English smoth, Middle English smotte, Middle English (1500s Scottish) smoit, Middle English–1500s smott, Middle English–1600s smot, Middle English– smote, 1500s–1600s smoat, 1500s–1600s smoate. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 735 He smot Numbert..þat his hæfd-bon to-brec. ▸ c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 2654 Ubbe..smoth godrich.c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) lxviii. 31 Hym þat tou smote.a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) II. 415 Petir..smoot of Malcus eere.1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos lvi. sig. Kviii She smotte grete strokes.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Cc She..downe him smot.a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) v. ii. 365 I..smote him thus.1714 E. Young Force of Relig. in Wks. (1752) I. 87 She smote her lovely breast.1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge xxxix. 160 He smote Mr. Tappertit on the back.1960 W. Harris Palace of Peacock i. 16 The sun smote me as I descended the steps.2008 Times 4 Aug. 59/4 Azhar..smote four sixes and two fours in an innings of 68 from 51 balls. ε. late Middle English–1500s smyt, 1500s smyth, 1500s smytt, 1500s–1600s smit, 1500s–1600s smitt. a1425 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Linc. Inn) (1952) l. 2384 Þey nedid heom him to awreke Alle þat Alisaundre hitte Hors and mon doun he smyt.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B5^v Vpon his crest With rigor..he smitt.1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 125 Great-heart..smit the head..from his shoulders. (ii). Plural. α. Old English smitan (in prefixed forms), Old English smiton, late Old English (in prefixed forms)–Middle English smiten, early Middle English simten (transmission error), early Middle English smitten, Middle English smite, Middle English smitte, Middle English smyte, Middle English smyten, Middle English smyton, Middle English smytte, Middle English smytten, Middle English smytton, Middle English smytyn. eOE Corpus Gloss. (1890) 58/2 Funestauere, smiton.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15021 Mid longe sweorden heo smitten. ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xiv. 5 The kingeȝ..smyten Raphaim.1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 81 His seruauntis..smyten and bete the asse. β. early Old English smeoton (Mercian, in prefixed forms), early Old English smeotun (Mercian, in prefixed forms), Middle English smete, Middle English smeten, Middle English smetin, Middle English smeton, Middle English smetyn. eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) lxxviii.1 Gentes..coinquinauerunt templum sanctum tuum : ðeode..bismeotun tempel halig ðin.] c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 2585 Hii smete to-gaderes.1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 27 They smeton beten and wounded hym. γ. Middle English smoit, Middle English smoot, Middle English smoote, Middle English smooten, Middle English smot, Middle English smote, Middle English smoten. ▸ c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 1843 Þe laddes were kaske and teyte, And vn-bi-yeden him ilkon, Sum smot with tre, and sum wit ston.c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 1796 Thay..smoten down right al a-boute.a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xv. 237 A-noon thei smote to-geder fercely. δ. Chiefly northern Middle English smat, Middle English smate. ?a1350 Guy of Warwick (BL Add.) (1974) l. 1090 It was na man that tay come ate That al tu dust thay hym smate.c1390 MS Vernon Homilies in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1877) 57 273 His Arwes ful euene smat Riht on þe Olde Mon.c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 336 Þai smate hym down & kyllid hym. ε. late Middle English smet. 1452 Petition to Lords in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 59 The seid persones..shet at hem and smet her horse wyth arwes.a1475 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 239 Þe clowdes gan clappe, The elementes gonne to rusche & rappe, And smet downe chirches & templis. b. Weak. α. early Middle English smatte, Middle English smette, late Middle English–1600s smitte, late Middle English–1600s smytte. c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 607 Þe sarazins he smatte Þat his blod hatte.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2684 He bi-loc hem & smette a-mong.a1450 Seven Sages (Cambr. Dd.1.17) (1845) l. 2697 With a qweyntyse fyre he keste Ryght bytwene hys swyrdys in lenkthe, As tho he smytte hyt out with strenthe.1470 Maldon (Essex) Court Rolls (Bundle 47, No. 4) Turned that other ende of the forke and smette hym. β. late Middle English smitede, late Middle English smitide, late Middle English smytide, 1600s– smited. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) 4 Kings ix. 27 Thei smytiden [1408 Fairf. smoten, c1450 Bodl. smiten, a1425 Emmanuel smetin] hym.1696 in Bp. E. Hopkins Disc. IV. 276 The Holy Ghost secretly smited their Consciences.1784 Loyola: Novel 69 He smited his breast.1858 C. Kingsley Red King 54 Tyrrel he smited..that day.1993 C. S. McCarrick Now You See Her 219 He tried to gauge how long it would be before the booze smited her.2001 C. D. Atwood Always Reforming 141 The New Model Army smited King Charles, then smited the rebellious Irish Catholics, and in 1653 smited Parliament itself. 3. Past participle a. Strong. α. Old English gesmiten, Old English smityn (in prefixed forms (not ge-)), Old English (in prefixed forms)–1500s smyten, Old English (in prefixed forms (not ge-))–1600s smiten, early Middle English ȝesmitan, Middle English ismyten, Middle English ismytyn, Middle English smitene, Middle English smitin, Middle English smiton, Middle English smitun, Middle English smyȝten, Middle English smytene, Middle English smyton, Middle English smytun, Middle English smytyn, Middle English smytyne, Middle English ysmyten, Middle English ysmytun; Scottish pre-1700 smytin, pre-1700 smytyn. eOE Bald's Leechbk. (Royal) (1865) ii. xxxiii. 236 Hreaþemuse blod gesmiten on þæs seocan mannes wambe.a1225 ( Rule St. Benet (Winteney) (1888) vii. 37 Ȝif hi beoð ȝesmitan [OE Corpus Cambr. geslegen] on þæt an hleor. ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xli. 6 Smyten with myldew.?c1450 (?a1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 378 Ysmyten wiþ goddis vengance.a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) vi. ix. 51 Feil crewell strakis smytyn hard thai sovnd.1680 T. Ager Paraphrase on Canticles 69 Men are smiten with barrenness. β. Old English (Northumbrian, in prefixed forms)– smitten, Middle English smettyn, Middle English–1500s smytten, Middle English–1500s smyttyn, 1500s smyttin (Scottish), 1500s smyttyne, 1600s smitt'n, 1600s smittin (Scottish). OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: John xviii. 28 Ut non contaminarentur : þætte hia nere gewidlęd uel besmitten.] a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7603 Saul has smitten a thusand.1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes iv. iv. sig. Pvii^v To make theyre hedes to be smytten of.?a1556 Grey Friars Chron. anno 1550 in R. Howlett Monumenta Franciscana (1882) II. 227 Hys hond was smyttyne of.1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. §84. 340 By Saul they were..smitten.1794 R. Snowden Amer. Revol. II. i. 8 The Barbarians were smitten with fear and fled.1864 J. H. Burton Scot Abroad II. i. 62 Smitten with a sacred rage for topography.1996 G. Jen Mona in Promised Land (1998) i. 4 They are just smitten with the educational opportunity before them.2003 S. G. Webb Tales from Keeper of Myths 76 There was a crashing, a groaning as if the world were being smitten into pieces. γ. early Middle English hiismite, Middle English ismite, Middle English ismyte, Middle English ysmite, Middle English ysmyte, Middle English (1500s Scottish) smite, Middle English–1500s smyte. c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 5415 Hii-smite he was in fihte. ▸ a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 123 He was i-smyte wiþ a palsy.c1450 (c1425) Brut (Cambr. Kk.1.12) 366 Þat boþe her hedis schulde be smyte of.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. vii. 17 Sum Greikis victouris war smyte [v.r. smite] deid. δ. Middle English ismeten, Middle English smeten, Middle English smeton, Middle English smetun, Middle English smetyn, late Middle English smetynge (probably transmission error). ▸ a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 477 He was i-smeten [c1400 Tiber. ysmytted, c1410 BL Add. i-smyȝten, 1482 Caxton spytted] wiþ þe vice of pride.1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. cij/1 Roulland..had smeton hys vncle. ε. Middle English ismete, Middle English smete, Middle English ysmete, Middle English (1500s Scottish) smet, late Middle English smette. ▸ a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 369 Þe enemyes..were i-smete wiþ blyndenesse.a1500 Reward of Man (Trin. Cambr. O.9.38) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 35 With thys bytel be he smete.a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6378 His Arme was smette fro the body clene.a1527 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (Elphinstoun) ii, in Poet. Works (1874) II. 103 And, but my mycht..Thai had bene..with thair fais swerdis smet to deid. ζ. Middle English ismitte, Middle English ismyt, Middle English–1500s smyt, Middle English–1500s smytt, Middle English–1500s smytte, Middle English–1600s smitte, Middle English–1600s (1700s–1900s archaic) smit, 1500s–1600s smitt. c1390 in F. J. Furnivall Minor Poems Vernon MS (1901) ii. 473 Al for my misde[de] Was he so felli smit.?a1425 (a1325) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Digby) (1887) l. 5254 Of smytte [c1325 Calig. Heueden þat were of ysmite].c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) lviii Artow seke or smyt with jelousye?a1550 in R. Dyboski Songs, Carols & Other Misc. Poems (1908) 123 I hope this gonne was well smytt.1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 29 Smit with the love of sacred song.1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. i. 354 Smit with Love of Honourable Deeds.1851 ‘B. Cornwall’ Eng. Songs 50 Like a rose fell Jeanie, Smit by winter cold.1909 A. J. Lockhart Birds of Cross 38 He sang, when white the seas with foam, Smit by the Angel of the Storm. η. late Middle English– smote (now archaic and nonstandard), 1500s smott, 1500s–1600s smot, 1600s smoate, 1600s smotten. c1500 Friar & Boy (Rawl.) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1895) 90 72 Þis game were wele smote [a1475 Brogyntyn smet].1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Dd5 Til thou in open fielde adowne be smott.1607 S. Hieron Bridegroome in Wks. (1620) I. 473 Elah, smotten and killed while he was drinking.a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 59 Turning the right cheek to him that has smote the left.1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things II. vi. 676 What cities have they smote!1909 E. W. Thomson Many-Mansioned House 87 'T was in the year when Azrael's spear had smote the fighting South.2011 Harper's Bazaar (U.K. ed.) July 44/1 He was smote with one of those career-changing thunderbolt insights. θ. 1800s smat (Scottish). 1896 J. Lumsden Battle of Dunbar & Prestonpans 2 The Scot has smat me ower the hip. b. Weak. 1500s smyted, 1600s 1900s– smited. ?1560 Mery Iest Howleglas sig. Bi^v He toke a staffe and wold haue smyted Howleglas.1611 E. Bunny Of Head-Corner-Stone 495 A kind of ciuill disease that most of all raigneth in any State, when the Princes and other Heads-men thereof are therewith smited themselues.1994 Crank Autumn 76 At every return the ball was smited. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian smīta to throw, to pelt, strike, to destroy (West Frisian smite ), Middle Dutch smiten to strike, to pelt, throw (Dutch smijten ), Middle Low German smīten to strike, to throw, Old High German smīzan to smear (Middle High German smīzen to smear, to strike, German schmeißen to throw, strike, smear), Norwegian regional smita to smear, Old Swedish smita to stroke, to smear (Swedish smita to strike, to smear, daub, to throw), Danish smide to smear, to strike, to throw, < the same Germanic base as smit v. and smit n.¹, perhaps < an extended form of the Indo-European base seen also in classical Latin macula macula n.The two major strands of meaning ‘to throw, to strike’ and ‘to smear’ appear both to ɡo back to Germanic, although the connection between them is unclear; it has been suggested it originates from the process of slapping mud on to walls in the course of wattle and daub construction. Various prefixed forms are also seen in the Germanic languages: e.g. Gothic gasmeitan to smear, to anoint (compare y- prefix); Old English besmītan and the cognate forms cited at besmite v.; Old High German anasmīzan to anoint (compare on- prefix); and Old High German ūzsmīzan to drive away (compare out- prefix). In Old English the unprefixed verb is considerably less frequent than prefixed besmītan besmite v. (compare also besmit v.). There seems to be a connection between this pattern of attestation and the relatively late attestation of the sense ‘to strike’ in Old English, although it quickly becomes predominant in Middle English (see branch II.), especially given that the sense ‘to throw, to strike’ is associated with the unprefixed form in other Germanic languages. It is possible that the sense ‘to strike’ may perhaps have belonged to a variety or register of Old English that is not well represented in the extant records. Other prefixed forms are rare in Old English and also reflect the sense ‘to smear’; compare forsmiten smeared (only as past participle; compare for- prefix¹ and (in different sense) forsmite v.) and ofersmītan oversmite v. In Old English a strong verb of Class I, as in other Germanic languages. In modern standard usage, while the reflex of the strong past tense (smote ) is now chiefly literary and archaic, the past participle has wider currency in some of its uses (compare smitten adj.). The Old English (Mercian) past tense plural bismeotun reflects Anglian back mutation before a dental consonant, which is apparently partly continued by Middle English smēt- . However, strong past tense and past participle forms spelt with e are probably of more than one origin. In part they may show the reflex of northern lengthening of i in open syllables. Weak past tense forms such as smatte at Forms 2bα appear relatively early. They may be analogically formed on the basis of strong past tense smāt (with shortening of the stem vowel before the double consonant). However, compare Old High German -smeizzen (in pesmeizzen to stain, pollute; Middle High German smeizen to defecate, (also) to throw), which suggests potential currency of an unattested corresponding Old English weak Class I verb smǣtan from the same Germanic base. (Perhaps compare also Old English smǣte* smeat adj., if it represents a derivative of an ablaut variant (o-grade) of the same Germanic base.) If such a weak verb existed, it could also be partly represented by weak past tense smett- (with later shortening) and Middle English present tense smet-, although such forms might have arisen in more than one way. †I. To smear or stain. 1. transitive. Chiefly with on. To smear (a substance) on something; to smear (something). Obsolete. ΚΠ eOE Bald's Leechbk. (Royal) (1865) i. lxxxvii. 156 Wiþ þon þe hær ne weaxe, æmettan ægru genim, gnid, smit on þa stowe. OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Exod. (Claud.) xii. 7 Nimon of his blode & smiton on ægðer gedyrne [perhaps read gedyre] on þam husum. ?a1200 (?OE) Peri Didaxeon (1896) 49 Ȝif hyt [sc. blood] cumþ of þare þrotan, þus þu hyt scealt aȝitan; Þann he hwest, þann smyit hys tunge, and he uthræþ wurmsig blod. 2. transitive. To pollute; to taint; to stain. Obsolete.In quot. eOE probably reflecting use of classical Latin fūnestāre funestate v. in Orosius Hist. 4.13. 3 (in figurative context). ΘΚΠ society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > degrade or impair morally [verb (transitive)] > corrupt > taint or infect smiteeOE besmiteeOE smitOE besmita1250 empoisonc1400 fadec1400 infect?c1400 attainta1529 leaven1534 inquinate1542 contaminate1563 taint1573 tack1601 beleper?a1625 eOE Corpus Gloss. (1890) 58/2 Funestauere, smiton. OE West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xv. 18 Soþlice þa þing þe of þam muðe gaþ cumað of þære heortan & þa smitaþ þone mann. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. cviii. 999 Þe rynde [of a nut] is grene and sour and bitter, and swyteþ [read smyteþ; a1500 Cambr. fouliþ; L. inficientem] his hond þat handeliþ it harde. II. To deliver a blow and related senses. 3. intransitive. To deal a blow or blows; to strike; to deliver a stroke or strokes; to fight. Occasionally with out. Also figurative. Now archaic.In quot. lOE with reference to a severe blow dealt by God; cf. sense 4.In quot. 1488 with on: to continue striking.In quot. 1600 of a horse: to kick. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike or deliver blows [verb (intransitive)] slay971 smitelOE flatc1330 flap1362 acoupc1380 frapa1400 girda1400 hit?a1400 knocka1400 swap?a1400 wapa1400 castc1400 strike1509 befta1522 to throw about one1590 cuff1596 to let down1640 dunch1805 yark1818 bunt1867 the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > kick startleOE kickc1386 winch1483 fling1487 yark?1561 smite1600 to lash out1852 to kick over the traces1861 lOE Salisbury Psalter: Canticles vi. 39 Ego occidam et ego uiuere faciam, percutiam et ego sanabo : ic ofslæa & ic liuian do ic smite & ic hæl. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 61 He [sc. God] wile smite mid bredlinge swuerde. c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 586 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 316 No wonder þei it smite harde. c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 10248 Mases of yron..for to smyte wele. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) 3 Esdras iv. 8 If he seie to smyten, thei smite. a1450 ( tr. Vegetius De Re Militari (Douce) (1988) 60 Ȝong fiȝteres mote be tauȝt to foyne and stoke and nouȝt to smyte [L. Non caesim sed punctim ferire]. c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1456 Yeur wyff woll sikirliche..smyte with hir tunge. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iii. l. 363 ‘Smyt on,’ he said. ‘I defy thine accioune’. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Luke xxii. D Lorde, shal we smyte with the swerde? 1598 I. K. tr. A. Romei Courtier's Acad. 137 Wee erre about the maner how: as if one thinking to strike softly, shoulde smite hard. 1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xxviii. 178 If he see that he beginne not to smite and snort.., he shall leade him by the reines out of the stable. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 250 Satan..Saw where the Sword of Michael smote . View more context for this quotation a1795 S. Bishop Poet. Wks. (1796) II. 127 Such would I be;—my friends to guard, Would smite; and, if I smote, smite hard. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vi. iii. 312 Louis..clutched the tongs, and even smote with them. 1891 A. Conan Doyle White Company I. vii. 143 There was one, indeed,..who smote out like a true man. 1953 K. M. Briggs Personnel of Fairyland 50 They foined and smote and parried up and down the Great Hall of the Dark Tower. 2014 R. Cohen Israel: is it Good for Jews? xiv. 165 The biblical Jews..slew and they annihilated and they smote and in other ways showed little mercy. 4. transitive. Of God: to afflict with death or destruction; (also) to punish or afflict in a notable way. Cf. sense 14b. Now archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > destroy or ruin a person spillc950 amarOE smitelOE aspillc1175 mischievec1325 to bid (something) misadventurec1330 mara1375 fordoc1380 undo1390 wrack1564 to make roast meat of (also for)1565 wrake1567 wreck1590 speed1594 feeze1609 to do a person's business1667 cook1708 to settle a person's hash1795 diddle1806 to fix1836 raddle1951 the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > activities of God > [verb (transitive)] > punish smitelOE punisha1325 scourgec1384 chasten1526 strike1577 lOE Canterbury Psalter iii. 8 Quoniam tu percussisti omnes adversantes michi : forðæn þu ofsloge uel smite ealle wiðergiende me. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 48 (MED) Þeruore smot god to euele dyaþe onam. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. l. 874 (MED) The hond of hevene him smot In tokne of that he was forswore. a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) civ. 34 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 239 He smate al firstkinned in land ofe þa. c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 126 Þe more þat god smyteth hem, wyth his wreche. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xxv. G The Lorde smote him, so y^t he dyed. 1574 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Job (new ed.) xxxv. 179/1 Gods iustice is knowne in his secrete iudgements, when wee see God smite and torment such folke as had no notable faults in them. 1611 Bible (King James) Psalms lxix. 26 Let none dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten. 1687 W. Wake Prepar. for Death (1723) i. 28 Let us not mistake God's goodness, nor imagine, because he smites us, that we are forsaken by him. 1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 464 The Governor of all..has interpos'd, Not seldom, his avenging arm, to smite Th' injurious trampler upon nature's law. 1843 J. G. Whittier Cassandra Southwick 142 The Lord shall smite the proud, and lay His hand upon the strong. 1882 G. B. Shaw Let. 30 Jan. (1965) I. 47 I have overtaxed the patience of the Almighty, and he has smitten me; and, through me, the Zetetical Society. 1908 Washington News Let. June 556/1 I would be very much afraid to do wrong, because God would smite me. 1992 R. Wright Stolen Continents (1993) i. 19 Huitzilopochtli.., like the Old Testament Jehovah, specialized in smiting enemies and leading his people to a promised land. 2016 J. Walker World in Flames 66 I warn them if they don't go faster, God will smite us...I'm learning the proper way to speak like an apostle, thanks to Timmy. 5. a. transitive. To strike or hit (a person or thing), usually forcefully; to deliver a blow to; to beat; to slap. Also figurative and in figurative contexts. In later use literary or archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > specific animate object drepeOE smitec1200 buffet?c1225 strike1377 rapa1400 seta1400 frontc1400 ballc1450 throw1488 to bear (a person) a blow1530 fetch1556 douse1559 knetcha1564 slat1577 to hit any one a blow1597 wherret1599 alapate1609 shock1614 baske1642 measure1652 plump1785 jow1802 nobble1841 scuff1841 clump1864 bust1873 plonk1874 to sock it to1877 dot1881 biff1888 dong1889 slosh1890 to soak it to1892 to cop (a person) one1898 poke1906 to hang one on1908 bop1931 clonk1949 c1200 ( West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Hatton) v. 39 Gyf hwa þe smite [OE Corpus Cambr. slea] on þin swiðre wænge. c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 167 Smit him ananriht mid te ȝerde of þi tunge i schrift. ?c1250 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 109 Of þe king he meden game & simten [read smiten] him wit honde. c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 503 (MED) He smot him a litel wiȝt & bed him beon a god kniȝt. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxvi. 67 Thanne thei spitten in to his face, and smyten [a1425 BL Add. beeted] hym with buffetis. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 7813 (MED) What tyme þat she shul wende He smote here a lytyl on þe bak Yn pleyyng whan he to here spak. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) 3 Esdras iv. 30 With the pawme of hir lift hoond she smote [L. cædebat] the kyng. 1584 J. Dee Jrnl. in True & Faithful Relation Spirits (1659) i. 82 He smit the round Table with his rod. 1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xviii. 18 Come and let vs smite him with the tongue. View more context for this quotation 1668 J. Owen Nature Indwelling-sin xii. 181 The case was the same with Asa in his anger, when he smote the Prophet. 1719 Free-thinker No. 109. 2 The Fairy..smote him on the Shoulder with a golden Wand. 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. ix. 235 Oft would she smite the earth. 1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge viii. 277 Half pausing for an instant now and then to smite his pocket. 1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days i. iii. 71 Tom arose, and..smote his derider on the nose. 1914 Atlantic Monthly Feb. 205/2 Blacksmiths smiting the anvil or navvies wielding their hammers in the streets. 1999 R. Tremain Music & Silence (2000) iii. 397 He will smite his own head and chest, and babble out his sorrows in an incoherent language. †b. transitive. Of a bird or animal: to strike with the beak, claw, hoof, etc. Also reflexive. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > strike at smite?c1225 spura1722 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 94 Pellican..sleað ofte his achne briddes..& þenne..wurð seswiðe sari..& smit him seolf wið his bile. c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) l. 78 Al þat þu mist mid cliure smiten. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Exod. xxi. 28 Ȝif anox with þe horn smyte aman. ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. met. vii. l. 2202 Þe bee..styngeþ þe hertes of hem þat ben ysmyte. c1450 MS Douce 52 in Festschrift zum XII. Neuphilologentage (1906) 46 While þe hors kykys, war that he the ne smyte. a1500 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Hunterian) (1976) i. 309 (MED) Þe pellican..With hyr bil..smyth herself in þe syde. c. transitive. Of the feet: to strike (the ground, a person, etc.) (in later use chiefly literary or archaic). Formerly also of a person: †to strike with the feet or with spurs (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > with the foot > kick smitec1330 frontc1400 punch1449 kick1598 calcitrate1623 bunch1647 pause1673 pote1673 purr1847 boot1877 turf1888 root1890 c1330 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Auch.) l. 3398 Sire Morice of Mounclere His stede smot [a1450 Caius prekyd] aȝenes Sabere. 1821 J. Baillie Metrical Legends 31 Many a high plum'd gallant rear'd his head, And proudly smote the ground with firmer tread. 1829 T. Carlyle in Edinb. Rev. June 451 Happy that the virago's foot did not even smite him. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 12 Juts of slippery crag that rang Sharp-smitten with the dint of armed heels. 1919 U. Sinclair Jimmie Higgins xvi. 160 There are twenty left feet smiting the ground in unison, and then twenty right feet smiting the ground in unison. 1984 R. Araujo Mem. Belmont Boy ii. 70 When a watchekonged foot smote you in the shin, you could feel it all through your body. d. transitive. To touch or strike (a musical instrument or the strings of an instrument) in order to produce sound. Also occasionally intransitive with on or upon. Now somewhat rare (literary or archaic in later use). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (transitive)] > play harp smitea1382 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 1 Kings xvi. 23 Dauyd tooc an harpe & smoot [L.V. c1450 Bodl. 277 harpide; L. percutiebat] wiþ hys hond. c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 777 Eke whan men harpe strynges smyte..Loo with the stroke the ayre to-breketh. 1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. dj^v Then smyte youre tabur, and cry huff, huff, huff and make the fowle to spryng. a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 137 Take hit [sc. a golden hoke], and bynde it to the ende of a longe yerde, and then smite vpon [c1510 de Worde with that smyte] thin harpe. 1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 87^v In the Psaltrie is an holowe tree, and of that same tree the sounde commeth vpwarde, and the stringes beinge smitten downewarde, Desuper: sonant. 1603 H. Clapham Three Partes Salomon Song of Songs Expounded iii. 248 Like as a Musitians fingers smit an instrument for effecting melodious harmony. 1636 G. Wither tr. Nemesius Nature of Man xiv. 345 Smite the strings of a Lute. 1785 W. Cowper Task v. 216 Ah, tinkling cymbal and high-sounding brass Smitten in vain! 1793 H. Boyd Poems 535 Ere yon loud Æolian band Smite my harp with frantic hand. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Locksley Hall in Poems (new ed.) II. 95 Love took up the harp of Life, and smote on all the chords with might. 1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iv. 66 A maid, Of those beside her, smote her harp, and sang. 1927 Princeton Alumni Weekly 14 Jan. 424/3 Strum the lyre; Smite the lute! Blow loudly on the fife and flute. 1930 W. S. Davis Life Elizabethan Days ix. 123 If you smite the strings of these horizontal harps with hammers held in your hand you have a dulcimer; if you simply pluck the strings you have a psaltery. 1986 J. B. Keane Bodhrán Makers xi. 178 He smote upon the drum with the clenched knuckle of his right hand. e. transitive. Originally and chiefly Cricket. To produce (a hit of a specified type) by striking the ball very hard, as to smite a six (also a homer, etc.). Also: to defeat (a team) or prevail against (a bowler) in this way. 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 1868 Marlburian 13 May 72/1 Woodhouse who smote a seven, was bowled for 12. 1891 W. G. Grace Cricket iv. 127 Mr. I. D. Walker..smote them to the tune of 90. 1904 F. C. Holland Cricket 28 After you have smitten him [sc. the bowler of yorkers] full-pitch two or three times, he will soon stop bothering you in this way. 1956 Paris (Texas) News 13 Sept. 10/2 The winning runs were driven in by Oliver who smote a homer with one aboard in the eighth. 1982 P. Tinniswood More Tales from Long Room vii. 87 My next sermon will take as its text: ‘And, lo, Harry Halliday was a plump man, yet many a six did he smite for Yorkshire.’ 2014 L. Marinos Blood & Circuses iii. 22 He smote Ian Meckiff straight for six, off the back foot. 6. a. transitive. To strike (a person) with a sword, spear, etc., in order to inflict serious injury or death; to kill; to injure; to strike hard with an axe or other bladed instrument. Also reflexive. Also with the weapon as subject. In later use literary or archaic.In early use also †to smite (a person) through (obsolete).Cf. to smite (a person, animal, etc.) to (the) death at Phrases 1a, to smite (a person or animal) dead at Phrases 1b.to smite (a person) hip and thigh: see hip and thigh at hip n.¹ Phrases 2. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (reflexive)] smitec1275 mischiefc1475 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (transitive)] > through smitec1275 to pass through ——c1330 traverse?a1400 transpiercec1604 pervade1656 bore1716 needle1813 society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with a weapon [verb (transitive)] areach1014 maulc1225 hitc1275 smitec1275 reachc1330 strike1377 to cut over1867 society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with weapon [verb (reflexive)] smitec1275 the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with weapon smitec1275 the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (reflexive)] > so as to cause serious injury or death smitec1275 the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (transitive)] > strike severely > so as to cause serious injury or death slayc893 to smite to deathc1175 smitec1275 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3242 Þe king droh his sweord..and þet deor he smat [c1300 Otho smot] a-nan uppe þat hæued-bæn. c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 4473 Lucye þe senatour was mid a spere þoru ysmite. c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 915 To the herte sche hire self smot. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vi. 136 He smat [1489 Adv. smate] the first sa rygorusly Vith his spere,..Till he doun to the erd hym bare. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. iii. 46 Smyte with the ax did rair the aikis hie. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ix. sig. I4 Ne yeelded foote,..But being doubly smitten likewise doubly smit. View more context for this quotation 1641 G. Sandys Paraphr. Song Solomon v. 19 The Watch..In this pursuit the Afflicted found: Smot, wounded [etc.]. 1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads iv. 58 He smote was with a Spear into the Brain. 1748 Scots Mag. App. 625/1 He stepped forth, and smote him with a dagger that he died. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 5 I am so deeply smitten through the helm That without help I cannot last till morn. 1878 New Monthly Mag. 14 327 He then arose and attempted to smite himself with the hatchet, failing in which, he threw himself down into a well in the compound. 1922 D. H. Low in tr. Ballads of Marko Kraljević xiv. 82 Philip..grasped his heavy mace And smote Kraljević Marko, Smote him on his hero's shoulders. 2013 J. Fletcher in G. W. M. Harrison & V. Liapis Performance in Greek & Rom. Theatre 214 Ajax dies a warrior's death, smitten by the sword of his enemy. b. transitive. In or with allusion to biblical use: to strike down, esp. in battle; to kill, slay; to defeat. Cf. sense 4. Now archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > kill in battle smitea1382 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Josh. vii. 5 Þe whiche..been smytyn of þe men of þe cite of hay. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3971 Þat quils esau smat an o þe tua Þe toþer party suld scape him fra. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Josh. x. 19 Followe after your enemies, and smite all the hindemost. 1612 T. Beard Theatre Gods Judgem. (ed. 2) xii. 309 He caused..the Citie of the Priests to be smote with the edge of the sword. 1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. §84. 340 By Saul they were once, and againe smitten: and finally, by David they were utterly vanquished. 1711 W. Thompson Child's Guide to Eng. Tongue 112 Hophni and Phineas were slain in the Battle, the Israelites smitten. 1754 E. Young Centaur ii, in Wks. (1757) IV. 136 Not Babylon alone has been smitten at a banquet, and perished in its joys. 1883 Friends' Rev. 1 Dec. 268/1 Saul failing to smite David during his madness,..hoped to induce David so to expose himself to the Philistines in battle that he should be slain. 1890 J. S. Blackie Song of Heroes i. 17 He smote the men of Moab, And the fierce Philistian crew. 1918 Congregationalist & Advance 14 Nov. 511/1 Esau..had 400 men With him and could easily have smitten Jacob. 1996 Holiday Which? Jan. 63/1 The Pictish Samson Stone..shows the biblical figure smiting the Philistine. c. transitive. figurative and in figurative contexts. Now rare. ΚΠ c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 122 Deth manaceth euery age and smyt. ?1516 tr. Dysputacyon Herte sig. B.iii Thou hast me smyte with a stroke mortall By thy fals loke thou hast me ouerthrowe. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Dd3^v That blinded God, which hath ye blindly smit, Another arrow hath. 1775 E. Jerningham Fall of Mexico 10 The bard..To whom the Muse her unsunn'd treasures gave, When Genius smote him with his fiercest beam. 1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things I. iii. 1250 Great Homer lives no more, Smote, like the rest, by Time's relentless power. 1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iii. 55 From my breast the involuntary sigh Brake, as she smote me with the light of eyes. 2007 A. Pipa tr. I. Kadare Chron. in Stone vi. 87 I was scouring the sloped roofs to see if I could find out where love had hidden before smiting a young man with its arrow. †7. transitive. To cause or produce (a wound, hole, etc.) by slashing or cutting. Obsolete.In quot. 1535 in to smite a great slaughter: to attack with great force. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > injure by striking smitec1275 hurt1297 blessa1529 ding1918 the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > fashion, shape, or form > form by cutting, pounding, tearing, rubbing, etc. hewc900 smitec1275 tailc1400 carve1490 tear1597 wear1597 to work out1600 draw1610 to carve outa1616 effringe1657 shear1670 pare1708 sned1789 whittle1848 to rip up1852 slice1872 chop1874 the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > produce by striking smitec1275 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3796 Nennius..ne mihte finden bote of his hæfued-wunde þe Iulius smat mid honde. c1300 Holy Cross (Laud) l. 538 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 17 A rode ich smot a swiþe deop wounde. ?c1450 in Anglia (1896) 18 302 Ȝif a gret wounde..be..with a wepyn wyckydly smetyn. 1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) ii. xviii. sig. dviii They hadde eyther smyten other seuen grete woundes. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xix. B Dauid wente forth..and smote a greate slaughter, so that they fled before him. 1581 A. Munday Breefe Disc. Taking of E. Campion Drawing his Dagger, he smit a great hole in it [sc. a wall of boordes]. 1612 in Jrnl. Archit., Archaeol., & Hist. Soc. Chester (1885) 3 500 Such [pottel potes, quarts, and pints] as wanted measure he caused Joseph Gilham to smite a great hole in the syde of them. 8. intransitive. With on or upon (formerly also †at, †to). To deliver a blow, esp. with a weapon, to a person or thing; to strike a person or thing. Now rare (in later use literary or archaic). ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with a weapon [verb (transitive)] > strike at smitec1275 spurnc1540 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11958 Frolle..a-dun-riht sloh. and smat [c1300 Otho smot] an Arðures sceld. c1300 St. Brendan (Laud) l. 417 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 231 He gan i-mete þis luþere fisch and smot to him faste. c1330 (?c1300) Bevis of Hampton (Auch.) l. 1043 So harde þe smitest vpon me kroun. c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iii. l. 1204 Menelay..smette at him with his scharpe swerde Vp-on þe hede. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. cccliiii So ofte must men on the oke smyte, tyl the happy dent haue entred. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. xxxi. C I shall smyte vpon my thee. 1611 Bible (King James) Exod. vii. 17 I will smite with the rod..vpon the waters which are in the riuer. View more context for this quotation 1653 W. Erbery Bishop of London 11 Yea Pauls Spirit, and Peters Sword smites upon your arme and right eye, upon the Spiritual sight and strength of such Idol-Shepherds. 1798 R. Southey Joan of Arc (ed. 2) II. ix. 208 Forth she flash'd her sword, and with a stroke Swift..smote on his neck. 1823 J. G. Lockhart Anc. Spanish Ballads 145 With that he smote upon his throat, and spurn'd his crest in twain. 1876 W. Morris tr. Virgil Æneids xii. 364 The eager-driven spear Smote on his helm, and shore away the topmost of his crest. 1936 Jrnl. Eng. Folk Dance & Song Soc. 3 37 He wielded a staff..with which he smote upon the shield. 1983 J. E. Woods tr. A. Döblin Karl & Rosa ix. 512 I don't smite upon my breast. I don't pray, either. I've let that slip as well. 9. intransitive. With in, into, or through. a. Of a person: to use a weapon or other sharp instrument to cut into or through something with a heavy or sudden blow. Now somewhat rare (literary or archaic in later use).figurative in quot. 1751, with God as subject.In quot. 1785 with reference to Judges 4:21, in which Jael kills Sisera, commander of the Canaanite army. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > penetrate wade993 smitec1275 reachc1300 piercea1325 sinkc1330 enterc1350 soundc1374 thirl1398 racea1420 takea1425 penetrate1530 penetre?1533 ransack1562 strike1569 thread1670 raze1677 perforate1769 spit1850 riddle1856 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1157 Corineus..his eax adun sloh, and smat in enne muchele stane, þer Locrin stod vuenan. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Deut. xxxiii. 11 Smite through the loines of them that rise against him [sc. the Lord]. 1635 J. Bentham Christian Confl. viii. 155 Iohn Courcye..with one stroke smote through an helmet into a block. 1751 T. Delafaye God Mariner's Only Hope 18 Be the Waves and their Noise never so mighty,..the Lord..divides and smites through their Pride. 1785 A. Bruce True Patriotism 30 She ventured to put her hand to the nail,..and her right-hand to the workman's hammer, and smote through the temples of the sleeping tyrant. 1839 R. M. Bird Abdalla the Moor (new ed.) 5/1 They will..with their battle-axes of flint, smite through the neck of a horse. 1910 S. R. Crockett Love's Young Dream x. 83 He lifts his axe and smites into the butt. 2003 G. Heng Empire of Magic 125 Arthur..smites into his opponent's entrails.., and neatly slices off the giant's genitals. †b. Of a sword, arrow, etc.: to strike something, esp. with or as if with a heavy or sudden blow; to pierce or penetrate through something; to stick in or into something. Also figurative and in figurative contexts. Obsolete (literary in later use). In quot. 1892 with reference to 2 Kings 13:18, in which the arrows fired by King Joash symbolize the help of God in defeating Aram. ΚΠ c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 583 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 316 Ȝwane þe wynd and þat fuyr smiteth þoruȝ þe watur-cloude. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11824 Þe fester smoot þourȝe his body. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xx. l. 323 Þe smoke and þe smorþre þat smyȝt [c1400 Vesp. smyth, a1425 London Univ. smytte, a1425 Cambr. Ff.5.35 smyteth] in oure eyen. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 362 The deeth he feeleth thurgh his herte smyte. a1425 (?c1350) Ywain & Gawain (1964) l. 377 In my face þe levening smate. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xix. B The iauelynge smote in the wall. 1651 tr. J. A. Comenius Nat. Philos. Reformed viii. 133 A viscous flaming matter is cast forth,..and smiting into the earth, it turnes to a stone. 1773 P. Wheatley Poems Var. Subj. 108 A fatal shaft from Phoebus's hand Smites through thy neck. 1869 Ld. Tennyson Coming of Arthur 57 But Arthur..Felt the light of her eyes into his life Smite on the sudden. 1892 Homiletic Rev. Jan. 68/1 Shoot arrow after arrow, till all are gone, and they remain there smiting into and sticking in the ground. 1923 Poetry 22 8 Let love be a terrible sword of flame to smite through our souls. 10. transitive. To deliver (a blow, stroke, etc.), esp. with a weapon. Also figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow) setc1300 smitec1300 layc1330 drivec1380 slentc1380 hit?a1400 to lay ona1400 reacha1400 fetchc1400 depart1477 warpc1480 throw1488 lenda1500 serve1561 wherret1599 senda1627 lunge1735 to lay in1809 wreak1817 to get in1834 c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 541 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 315 Þou miȝtest him seo wel longue smite þe duntes with þine eiȝe Are þov scholdest þene dunt i-heore. c1390 Castle of Love (Vernon) (1967) l. 1150 (MED) Grete boffetes among me him smot. 1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos lvi. sig. Kviii She smotte grete strokes with her swerde. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxiii. 424 Merlin..drough that wey that he were not knowen with a grete staffe in his nekke smytinge grete strokes from oke to oke. 1588 A. Munday tr. C. Colet Famous Hist. Palladine Eng. ix. f. 19 With a little white wand she smote three blowes on the Elme tree. 1603 J. Stow Suruay of London (new ed.) 385 The Esquier tooke his axe, & smote many blowes on the knight. 1649 W. Greenhill Expos. 6th–13th Chapters Ezekiel xi. 438 A stone feeles no weight.., smite the hardest stroakes, its not sensible of any. 1851 N. Hawthorne Snow-image 53 At Bloody Brook, a terrible blow shall be smitten, and hardly one of that gallant band be left alive. 1890 W. Morris Roots of Mountains xxxix. 293 They will take any man for their fellow in arms who will smite stark strokes on their side. 1952 Furrow 3 443/2 Smiting blows on the foes of Holy Church. 2006 I. Kaminishi Explaining Pictures viii. 181 Other Tateyama Mandala paintings illustrate monstrous ogres smiting blows with iron clubs. 11. a. (a) transitive. To drive, hammer, or strike (a thing), esp. forcefully, against, on, into, etc., another thing; to thrust or drive (a thing) in. Now rare.In quot. c1450 in passive (of precious stones): to be embedded. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > so as to hit something > forcibly or violently smitec1300 pashc1390 beswak?a1513 dash1530 smashc1800 slap1836 c1300 Holy Cross (Laud) l. 555 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 17 At þe riȝt side huy smiten a spere ful deope in atþe laste. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 4384 Nenny bare þe scheld o skere, & Iulius smot his suerde ouer fere. c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 3678 Smeten was smaragdans in-to þe smeth werkis. c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. lxij^v/2 Make pinnys of wylowe and smyte them faste in. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xiii. A Yf y^e one be smytten agaynst the other, it shal be broken. 1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. C1 His Faulchon on a flint he softly smiteth . View more context for this quotation 1611 Bible (King James) Judges iv. 21 Then Iael..went softly vnto him, and smote the naile into his temples. View more context for this quotation 1670 J. Pettus Fodinæ Regales xxvi. 41 The Smiter of Irons , after they be graved, smites them upon the Monie. 1702 Medit. on Life, Sufferings & Death Son of God. xix. 177 See with what Fury they smite the Nails into those Hands, that had never been used but in doing Good. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. iv. ii. 181 Large clubs, which they smite angrily against the pavement. 1883 H. Pyle Merry Adventures Robin Hood i. ii. 26 ‘Aha!’ cried he suddenly, smiting his hand upon his thigh. 1906 H. G. Wells In Days of Comet i. ii. 87 I stood up..and smote my fist with all my strength against the panel of wood before me. 1991 J. Neusner Talmud of Land of Israel XI. vii. 232 They treated it [sc. a given action] as equivalent to completing an act of labor, just as smiting a hammer on an anvil completes the act of labor. †(b) transitive. In past participle in smitten (full) of: studded or thickly set with. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] > be scattered at intervals > be scattered with something smite?1435 strike1610 ?1435 ( J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 637 Thes emperesses hadde..sevyn virgynes..Be attendaunce..Alle cladde in white, smytte ffulle off sterres shene. c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 5424 With corouns on hede, As it smytten [ware] all..of smaragdens fine. a1500 (a1470) Brut (BL Add. 10099) 518 His brigantines smytten ful of gylted nayles. b. transitive. To strike (two or more things) together (formerly also †samen); to clap (one's hands). Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > impinge upon [verb (transitive)] > cause to impinge > bring into collision smitea1398 to knock together1398 to strike together1398 collide1621 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. cxlii. 1392 Cymbales..beþ ysmyte togideres, and sowneþ and ryngeþ. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11998 Iesus samen [Trin. Cambr. to gider] his handes smat. 1532 Romaunt Rose in Wks. G. Chaucer f. cxxix^v/2 She al to dassht her selfe for wo And smote togyder her hondes two. 1589 T. White Serm. Paules Crosse 14 Two stones smitten together cast foorth fire. 1611 Bible (King James) Num. xxiv. 10 Hee smote his hands together. View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Webster Metallographia vi. 102 Fire-stones, or pyritae; which rubbed hard or smitten together forcibly,..give sparks of fire. 1724 A. Crossly Signification Most Things in Heraldry 1 There is little Marrow in his Bones, for when they are Smitten together they strike Fire as out of a Flint. 1823 T. C. Upham tr. J. Jahn Biblical Archaeol. 102 The musician held one of them [sc. cymbals] in his right hand, the other in his left, and smote them together. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 8 But when he saw the wonder of the hilt,..he smote His palms together. 1921 Musical Times May 332/2 The public came along and smote their hands together and beat the carpet with their feet as if the decisions of critics were not among the things that mattered. 1994 A. Habens Dreamhouse (1997) vi. 149 The two men smite their hands together in strange glee. 12. transitive. Chiefly with adverbial complement, as asunder, into pieces, in two, etc.: to cut, chop, or break apart, into pieces, etc. Also in figurative contexts. In later use literary or archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > cut [verb (transitive)] > cut to pieces to-carvec950 forhewa1000 forcarveOE to-hackc1000 to-hewc1000 to-slivec1050 to-brittenc1175 shredc1275 to-snedc1275 to-race1297 smitec1300 dismember1303 hewa1382 hew1382 to-cut1382 forcutc1386 brit?a1400 splatc1400 to-shredc1405 upshear1430 detrench1470 dispiece1477 thrusche1483 till-hew1487 despiecea1492 rip1530 share?1566 hash1591 shamble1601 becut1630 betrench1656 mincemeat1861 becarve1863 c1300 St. James Great (Laud) l. 115 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 37 Heroudes ȝaf his dom a-non, his þrote to smite a-two, and Iosie þe quellare he was bi-take þulke dede for-to do. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 2003 (MED) A firy thonder sodeinly He sende, and him to pouldre smot. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 21593 In foure pecis þai hit smate. 1447 O. Bokenham Lives of Saints (Arun.) (1938) l. 247 (MED) Me wil respyte Attropos..and not..My fatal threed a-sundyr smyte. a1450 in T. Austin Two 15th-cent. Cookery-bks. (1888) 55 Nym raw ȝolkys of Eyroun, & melle hem a-mong chikonys y-smete. a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 126 Smite the gurdill [of lechery] in thre, scil. in prayer, fastyng, and almesdede. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Table of Verbes f. ccclxv/1 He hath smytten his harnayes al to peces. 1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. xxxvi. 10 Smite in sunder the heads of the rulers. View more context for this quotation 1689 S. Jay Remarques Life Abraham ii. 27 in Τὰ Καννάκου Why did not Sarah..smite asunder these Waters of Jealousie? 1798 R. Southey Joan of Arc (ed. 2) I. i. 123 Will not God In sunder smite the unmerciful, and break The sceptre of the wicked? 1844 G. C. Hebbe & J. MacKay tr. ‘C. Sealsfield’ Life in New World xxv. 96/1 As if ten thousand cannon-shot, hurled together, were smiting in pieces, mountain, forest and valley. 1898 Argosy June 532 We had happened into a school of whales.., and one in his play and clumsy gambols had smitten us into matchwood. 1985 B. Perrins Trade Union Law Pref. p. v The Prime Minister herself is avowedly a latter-day Moses, smiting asunder the Red Sea of socialism. 2003 S. G. Webb Tales from Keeper of Myths 76 There was a crashing, a groaning as if the world were being smitten into pieces. 13. intransitive. To come together violently or forcibly; (of the knees) to knock together. Also: to be driven or dashed on or against something. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > impinge [verb (intransitive)] > forcibly or violently beatc885 pilta1200 smitec1300 dashc1305 pitchc1325 dushc1400 hitc1400 jouncec1440 hurl1470 swack1488 knock1530 jut1548 squat1587 bump1699 jowl1770 smash1835 lasha1851 ding1874 biff1904 wham1948 slam1973 c1300 St. Alban (Laud) l. 68 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 69 And euere þat watur bi-hinden him smot to-gadere þere. a1450 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) v. xxvii. By hardenes of boones þat smyteþ and meueþ togedres. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Dan. v. A His knees smote one agaynst the other. 1611 Bible (King James) Nahum ii. 10 The heart melteth, and the knees smite together. View more context for this quotation 1770 S. W. God all in All 24 I see their faces gather paleness, and their knees smiting together. 1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna iv. i. 75 The old man took the oars, and soon the bark Smote on the beach. 1896 J. L. Weston Legends Wagner Drama ii. 32 The casket smote against the rocks and broke. 1952 Winnipeg Free Press 2 Sept. Bare knees smote together and turned pink with temperatures frigidly in the lower 50's. 14. a. (a) transitive. Of a disease, disorder, or other condition: to attack; to affect suddenly or seriously. Frequently in passive with by, †in, or with. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > affect with disease [verb (transitive)] > attack ofseche?c1225 takec1300 smitea1325 strike1530 infest1542 assault1594 attack1665 grip1818 a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3690 Ðor wurð ghe ðanne wið lepre smiten. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 123 Constantyn was i-smyte [1482 Caxton smeton] wiþ a strong meselrie. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 11920 A lymme þat ys..smete yn pallesye. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1871) III. 33 (MED) This kynge..was smyten with the lepre. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton Ordinal of Alchemy (BL Add.) (1975) l. 2076 (MED) The wreche was sodenly Smytt in a stronge paralisie. 1574 J. Merbecke Lyues Holy Sainctes 141 He was immediatly smitten with the Wormie sickenesse, whereof he most miserably dyed. 1650 Royal Diurnall 11–18 Mar. sig. D3v Many..are justly troubled in Conscience, and smitten with madnesse, and other Diseases & Lunacies. 1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) xxxi. 379 You may as well desire..to have a Dead Palsie smite your loyns. 1755 T. Stack tr. R. Mead Medica Sacra xv. 113 The disease with which Herod Agrippa is said to have been smitten..is remarkable. 1774 H. Brooke Juliet Grenville (Dublin ed.) II. 178 We supposed him to be smitten by some quick stroke of madness. 1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest II. x. 438 Abbot Mannig..had been smitten by paralysis, and had resigned his office. 1880 Gardeners' Chron. 25 Sept. 406/3 So soon as Potatos are full grown,..before the disease smites them, they may and can be dug and saved in safety. 1918 W. Owen Let. 24 June (1967) 560 About 30 officers are smitten with the Spanish Flu. 1993 F. Jennings Founders of Amer. (1994) xiii. 130 Smallpox was the first new disease to smite the Indians. 2011 Independent 12 Sept. (Viewspaper section) 6/4 The protagonist of..Doktor Faustus enjoys 24 years of musical triumph before being smitten with syphilitic madness. (b) transitive. figurative and in extended use: to afflict. Chiefly in passive with by or with. ΚΠ 1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature III. 224 A province, considered, even at Petersburg, as smitten with sterility. 1836 J. S. Mill in London & Westm. Rev. 25 276 Ministers are smitten with the epidemic disease of Russo-phobia. 1879 S. W. Baker Cyprus xvi. 400 A season of cruel drought has smitten the agriculturists. 1933 C. Brooks Jrnl. 23 Jan. (1998) 45 London is smitten by an unauthorised strike of busmen. 1982 Economist 6 Nov. 49/3 Other Indian regions have been smitten with floods. 2006 D. J. Eicher Dixie Betrayed (2007) Prol. 9 As with all young Southerners in 1861, Worsham was smitten with patriotic fever. b. transitive. Of God, a god, or (occasionally) a person regarded as having supernatural powers: to cause (a person) to be affected with a particular disease or condition. Cf. sense 4.Frequently with reference to biblical use. ΚΠ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 20957 A jugelur wit blindnes he smat. c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 126 Þey se noȝt how god smyt hem in here body, wyth sykenes & tribulacyoun. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zech. xiv. C This shalbe the plage, wherwith y^e Lorde wil smyte all people. ?1554 Lydgate's Fall of Prynces (new ed.) ii. xvii. f. lii^v/1 (heading) God toke vengeaunce & smote him with leprie. 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 30 He forgat himselfe, till the Lord smot him with the plague. 1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety ii. 33 He [sc. God] should..smite us with blindness like the Sodomites, whom he finds in such impure pursuits. 1757 W. Massey in tr. Ovid Fasti 303/1 The gods..smote him with blindness, and sent harpies to eat and spoil his victuals. 1778 Schoolmistress for Poor xxi. 82 He impiously attempted to offer incense in the Temple,..and for this offence the Almighty smote him with the leprosy. 1842 H. Taylor Edwin the Fair iii. viii. 173 The Lord shall smite him with the botch of Egypt. 1880 E. J. Carey tr. P. Stapfer Shakespeare & Classical Antiq. ix. 174 Apollo, to avenge his priest, smites the Grecian army with a plague. 1948 Jrnl. Royal Anthropol. Inst. 78 20/2 If a wealthy villager evaded this obligation, the chief's medicine-man would smite him with illness. 2007 T. Sprague Art for Yale: collecting for New Cent. 383/2 This same god personified the darker side of pleasure, punishing those who overindulged in drink, sex, drugs, or gambling and smiting them with disfiguring venereal diseases. †15. transitive. To engage in or fight (a battle). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] smitec1325 fighta1400 strike1487 contest1614 c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 269 Hii smite þer an bataile hard an strong inou. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 239 Vnder Elendoune þe bataile was smyten. a1500 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Douce) (1890) l. 440 (MED) By syden Saresbury a lite Here batayle to gederys þey gonne smyte. 1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 220 Syxe batayles agayne King Knowt he smote. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xl. 1091 L. Posthumius smit a brave and fortunate battaile with the Vaccei. 1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 317 This battell was smitten in the yeare of Grace 457. 16. transitive. With adverbs, as out, away, back, etc. To strike or knock (a thing or (occasionally) person) out, away, back, etc., esp. with a weapon; to drive or force out, etc.; to cut out, etc. Also with prepositions, as †fro, from, off. Also: to break open with a blow or blows. Also figurative. See also to smite off at Phrasal verbs. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > by impact or force > by striking or beating smitec1330 swapa1375 inbeatc1420 possa1425 rushc1440 strike1450 ram1519 pash1530 thwack1566 whip1567 thump1596 lash1597 knocka1616 switcha1625 to knock down1653 to knock in1669 stave1837 whip1868 slog1884 to beat down- c1330 (?c1300) Amis & Amiloun (Auch.) (1937) l. 1326 (MED) Ac he failed of his dint, þe stede in þe heued he hint & smot out al his brain. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. x. 14 Smytith [a1425 Corpus Oxf. smyte] awey the dust fro ȝoure feet. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6705 Qua smites vte his thains eie. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 105 (MED) Gawayne smote hym of hys horse. ?a1475 in J. Kail 26 Polit. Poems (1904) 145 Now hathe age y-smete me fro My pryncipall feder of Iolyte. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Susanna i. D Then ranne there one to the orcharde dore, & smote it open. 1559 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 207 Hytt brust in pesses, and on pesse..smott on of ys leg[s] a-way. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 393 Repressing or smiting backe the swelling incident to wounds. 1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 125 Then Mr Great-heart..smit the head of the Giant from his shoulders. 1751 J. Wesley Christian Libr. IV. 89 One of the Officers with his Halbert, smote out the Staple, in the Stake behind him, and let his Body fall into the Bottom of the Fire. 1827 T. Carlyle tr. J. A. Musæus in German Romance I. 165 The Son of the Gods arises..and smites the slave-fetters from his limbs. 1850 W. G. Simms Lily & Totem xvii. 233 He stripped the skin from the breast of his victim, then, with sharp strokes, he smote away the flesh. 1892 C. W. C. Oman Byzantine Empire 349 The Sultan..smote away the jaws of the nearest snake with one blow of his mace. 1916 Everybody's Mag. Nov. 576/2 He lifted the fist that had betrayed him, and smote open the flimsy door. 1917 R. A. Cram Substance of Gothic i. 22 Charles Martel—the Hammer that..smote back the Mohammedan invasion. 2004 T. Moore Trav. with my Donkey (2006) 190 I hunched lower, quietly smiting away an ant the size of three olives. †17. a. transitive. To make or contract (a covenant, bond, etc.). Cf. strike v. 70a. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement with [verb (transitive)] > make conclude or seal (an agreement) binda1300 smitec1330 takec1330 ratify1357 knitc1400 enter1418 obligea1522 agree1523 conclude1523 strike1544 swap1590 celebrate1592 rate?1611 to strike up1646 form1736 firm1970 c1330 Lai le Freine in Smith Coll. Stud. Mod. Langs. (1929) 10 iii. 10 Treuþe [was] pliȝt. Allas þat he no hadde ywite, er þe forward were ysmite. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xxi. 27 Boþ þey smyten abond of pees. 1596 H. Clapham Briefe of Bible i. 31 Iehovah appeareth and smiteth a Covenant with him. 1632 R. Harris Way to True Happinesse x. 157 The Lord is very ready (so soone as he hath made his people) to smite a couenant with them. b. transitive. To coin (money); to strike (a coin, or metal into coin). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > money > coining > coin (money) [verb (transitive)] coinc1330 smitea1387 forgec1400 printc1400 strike1449 moneyc1450 mintc1520 stamp1560 beat1614 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1882) VIII. 265 (MED) Þe kynge made smyte [L. incudi] newe coyne and newe money. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 334 Er gold was smite In Coign. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 5741 Edward did smyte rounde peny, halfpeny, ferthyng. 1423–4 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1423 §55. m. 31 That the maister of the mynte do smyte..half nobles. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Macc. xv. A I geue the leaue to smyte money of thine owne. c. transitive. To cut (a step). Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 3342 Of a Smeth [s]maragadane Smyten was þe toþir [step]. d. transitive. To cut off (a serving of meat). Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > preparation of meat > dress animals for food [verb (transitive)] > carve shearc1330 unlacec1400 smitea1500 carve1529 to cut up1574 cuta1616 a1500 (a1477) Black Bk. (Soc. of Antiquaries) in A. R. Myers Househ. Edward IV (1959) 150 That the messez..be smytyn in a suffycyaunt and acording maner. 18. a. transitive. Of light, the sun, etc.: to shine (strongly) on; to beat down on; to strike. Formerly also †intransitive (of the sun): to shine. Also in figurative contexts. Chiefly literary in later use. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (transitive)] > shine upon smitec1350 c1350 Apocalypse St. John: A Version (Harl. 874) (1961) 190 (MED) Berile..glemeþ as water þere þe sonne smytt. c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie (Cambr.) (1977) 171 (MED) The sonne beames..smote agayn the toppe of an highe towre. a1500 Let. Alexander l. 471 in Mediaeval Stud. (1979) 41 139 (MED) The beames of the sonne smote the toppes of hevenes. 1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 26 As thy eye beames, when their fresh rayse haue smot. The night of dew. View more context for this quotation 1653 J. Davies in tr. C. Sorel Extravagant Shepherd To Rdr. sig. b^v The statue of Memnon, out of which proceeded an harmonious sound, when smitten by the rays of the Sun. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 244 Where the morning Sun first warmly smote The open field. View more context for this quotation 1731 G. Medley tr. P. Kolb Present State Cape Good-Hope II. 71 When the Sun smites the spurrie very hotly, the capsulae open. 1788 A. Seward Lett. (1811) II. 107 On an open plain smote by the summer's sun. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Œnone (rev. ed.) in Poems (new ed.) I. 121 Far-up the solitary morning smote The streaks of virgin snow. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 43 A broad beam of the garish light Smote with a glory her golden hair. a1915 J. Joyce Giacomo Joyce (1968) 2 Shadows streak her falsely smiling face, smitten by the hot creamy light. 1960 W. Harris Palace of Peacock i. 16 The sun smote me as I descended the steps. 1999 Field & Stream May 126/1 I would stand in his doorway with a 12 o'clock sun smiting my forehead and look into the cool innards of Tilton's black cave. b. transitive. Of lightning, fire, etc.: to strike (a person or thing) causing injury, damage, or death; to destroy; to blast. Now archaic.In quot. a1425 in figurative context. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)] > of environmental or supernatural factors smitea1382 strikec1480 blasta1533 perisha1549 thunderstrike1613 siderate1623 to strike dead, blind1750 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Exod. ix. 25 Þe haul smote..alle þat wern in feeldis,..& all heerb of þe feeld smote the haul [L. percussit grando]. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 3755 Whanne the flawme of the verry bronde..Hadde Bialacoil with hete smete. a1475 in Neuphilol. Mitteilungen (1957) 58 66 (MED) Lightnyng..smyttythe a swerde to pouder and hort nat the scaberde. c1500 Lyfe Roberte Deuyll 343 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 233 A man had ben as good to haue be smytten with thonder, As to haue a stroke of hys hand. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. ix. G Thus the flax and the barlye were smytten. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxv. 550 Many places were blasted and smitten with lightning from heaven. 1645 J. Milton Arcades in Poems 54 I..heal..what the cross dire-looking Planet smites. 1744 J. Thomson Summer in Seasons (new ed.) 94 A suffocating Wind the Pilgrim smites With instant Death. 1760 L. Sterne Serm. Mr. Yorick II. x. 95 Like a blooming flower smit and shrivelled up with a malignant blast. 1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things II. vi. 676 Eruptive winds, what cities have they smote! 1820 P. B. Shelley Vision of Sea in Prometheus Unbound 177 Six the thunder has smitten, And they lie black as mummies. 1917 A. Cahan Rise of David Levinsky xii. vi. 440 A lash of fire smote the firmament with frantic suddenness. 1931 Salt Lake Tribune 2 Oct. 12/4 The troublemaker..is smitten by a bolt from heaven for his defiance of God. 2005 E. J. W. Barber & P. T. Barber When they severed Earth from Sky vii. 56 His [sc. Thor's] lightning smites your enemies (evildoers all) and destroys their crops. c. transitive. Of the wind, waves, etc.: to beat or dash against (something). Now archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > impinge upon [verb (transitive)] > forcibly or violently beatOE to run against ——a1425 smitec1450 quash1548 dash1611 kick1667 lashc1694 daud?1719 besmite1829 buck1861 tund1885 ram1897 prang1942 c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 248 Þe more grauel & sonde is smet & betyn wyth flodys of þe se, þe more salt & bytter it is. 1624 F. Quarles Iob Militant sig. D^v Which [Wind] with a full-mouth Blast, Hath smote the house. 1839 H. W. Longfellow Hyperion I. ii. 6 The storm-wind smites the wall of the mountain cliff. 1850 W. Wordsworth Prelude i. 21 With the din Smitten, the precipices rang aloud. 1920 M. Nicholson Blacksheep! Blacksheep! i. 23 The waves had begun to smite the rocks with dismaying ferocity. 1940 R. Wright Native Son ii. 215 Cold wind smote his face. 2006 J. Golding Secret of Sirens (2007) xvi. 265 The boom of waves smiting stone. 19. a. transitive. Of a bell or clock: to strike (an hour) (now rare). Formerly also: †to announce (something) by sounding a bell (obsolete rare). ΘΚΠ the world > time > instruments for measuring time > signal marking the time > [verb (transitive)] > by ringing a bell, etc. smite1370 ting1877 society > communication > indication > signalling > audible signalling > ringing of bells as signal > ring (a bell) as signal [verb (transitive)] > announce or proclaim by ringOE smite1370 knell1840 to ting in1880 buzz1914 1370 in J. Raine Fabric Rolls York Minster (1859) 181 (MED) Yai sall stande yar trewly wyrkande..till itte be hegh none smytyn by ye clocke. 1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 60 Ho-so komys aftyr prime be smytyn, he xal pay..j.d. c1450 ( G. Chaucer Bk. Duchess (Fairf. 16) (1871) l. 1323 In the castell ther was a belle As hyt hadde smyte oures twelve Therewyth I a-wooke my selve. 1476 in C. L. Kingsford Stonor Lett. & Papers (1919) II. 8 (MED) The Cloke smote noynne. c1500 (a1473) Syon Additions Sisters (Arundel) in J. Hogg Rewyll Seynt Sauioure (1980) IV. l. 158 Whylst..the president smyteth allyn, the couente schal stonde in the freytour. ?1557 Deceyte Women sig. h.ii^v Com to night to her house whan the clock hath smytten .vii. 1604 T. Middleton Blacke Bk. sig. F2 From this houre of a Leauen-clocke vpon blacke Munday, vntill it smite Twelue a clocke at Doomes-day. 1831 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 283 The Time-piece smites twelve. 1939 C. B. Roberts Second Man lvii. 216 The clock in the tower of the distant village court-house smiting eleven sounded clearly. 1962 Stud. Philol. 59 200 A Jack of the Clock House..smiting the hour of the fullness of time. b. intransitive. Of a clock: to strike, chime. Now archaic and rare. ΘΚΠ the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [verb (intransitive)] > strike or chime smite1448 strike1550 1448–9 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) I. 383 He wold..neuer go to werke till the clocke smyte. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 966 Anone he herde a clocke smyte on hys ryght honde. ?1548 Order Churche Denmark in tr. J. Calvin Faythfvl Treat. Sacrament sig. Ev Whan the clocke smyteth (which is comenly .vii. in Sommer. but .viii. in wynter). 1578 M. Tyler tr. D. Ortúñez de Calahorra Mirrour Princely Deedes xxi. f. 49 The houre clock hath smitten thrice. 1617 J. Brinsley Pueriles Confabulatiunculæ f. 5^v Hath the clock smitten, or no? 1657 J. Livesey Enchiridion Judicum 287 The Clocks never smote all at once. 1958 T. H. White Once & Future King ii. xiv. 319 There were bells ringing, clocks smiting in belfries, standards floating—until the whole air above them seemed to be alive. †20. intransitive. To work in a blacksmith's forge, striking hot metal with a hammer or (in later use) a sledgehammer. Originally in to smite with a (also the) hammer. Obsolete.In early use only in Isaiah 41:7. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (intransitive)] > work at forge smithc1275 forge1382 smitea1425 smithy1733 a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Isa. xli. 7 A smyth of metal smytynge with an hamer [L. faber aerarius percutiens malleo]. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Isa. xli. 7 So the workeman comforted the founder & he that smote with the hammer, him that smote by course. 1827 London & Paris Observer 7 Oct. 630/2 If you will smite for me I will do so, and the work will soon be done. 1874 W. C. Smith Borland Hall iv. 173 Smiting with a hammer 'Mid the clangour and the clamour Of the anvil and the bellows. 1881 T. Hardy Laodicean I. i. iv. 74 The husband used to smite for Jimmy More the blacksmith. 1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. 685 Smite, to strike with the sledge in forging. The smith hammers, the assistant smites. †21. transitive. To fire (a cannon). Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > management of artillery > operate (artillery) [verb (transitive)] > discharge (artillery) swagec1420 smitea1475 playa1616 unload1633 to touch off1907 Archie1915 a1475 Friar & Boy (Brogyntyn) in J. O. Halliwell Early Eng. Misc. (1855) 52 That gonne was welle smet, Thoȝ it had be with a stonne. †22. transitive. To let (blood) from a person by making an incision with a surgical instrument. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > bloodletting > let blood of [verb (transitive)] > by venesection smite?1523 ?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxvi^v Take a blode yron and sette it streight vpon the vayne, and smyte him blode on bothe sydes. †III. To move quickly and related senses. 23. a. intransitive. To move quickly; to rush; to dart; to shoot. Frequently with in or into. Obsolete.In quot. c1300 with reference to speaking: to move quickly on (to another topic). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly and suddenly windc897 shootc1000 smite?c1225 flatc1300 lash13.. girda1400 shock?a1400 spara1400 spritc1400 whipc1440 skrim1487 glance1489 spang1513 whip1540 squirt1570 flirt1582 fly1590 sprunt1601 flame1633 darta1640 strike1639 jump1720 skite1721 scoot1758 jink1789 arrow1827 twitch1836 skive1854 sprint1899 skyhoot1901 catapult1928 slingshot1969 book1977 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 75 Ase swifte..as is þe sunne gleam þe smit from east into west. a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) l. 343 Vt of his ðrote it smit an onde. c1300 St. Dunstan (Harl.) l. 74 in F. J. Furnivall Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 36 (MED) Treoflinge heo smot her and þer in anoþer tale sone. c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 495 Þe lyoun smoot in to þe est. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) cxxix. 194 Thyse thre smote in emong the .xxx. turkes. a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 6448 Be then was þe boore full hote; He fonde a dyke and yn he smote. b. transitive (reflexive). To rush or move quickly out or into; to dash or throw oneself against something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > impinge [verb (reflexive)] smitec1325 impinge1660 c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 8323 Hii bisede vaste þe toun so þat þe þridde day Þe cristine ost smot him out. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 2341 So that ayein a Roche of Ston,..He smot himself til he was ded. 1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos lx. sig. Liij [They] ranne soone to fetche theyr armures. And thenne Turnus smote hym selfe in to the troians. 24. intransitive. To come together (also †samen, †to-samen) in conflict or battle; to clash. Also transitive (reflexive). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle to come togetherOE to lay togetherc1275 smitec1275 to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297 joustc1330 meetc1330 copec1350 assemblea1375 semblea1375 coup?a1400 to fight togethera1400 strikea1400 joinc1400 to join the battle1455 to commit battle?a1475 rencounter1497 to set ina1500 to pitch a battlea1513 concura1522 rescounter1543 scontre1545 journey1572 shock1575 yoke1581 to give in1610 mix1697 to engage a combat1855 to run (or ride) a-tilt1862 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2585 Heo smiten [c1300 Otho smete] to-gædere. helmes þere gullen. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12779 Þes drake and beore..smiten heom to-gaderen mid feondliche ræsen. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2109 Ðe ranc he hauen ðo ouer-cumen, To-samen it smiten. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) 3 Esdras ii. 22 Kingis and cites smitende togidere. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 161 [They] smote togedyrs with hir swerdys, that hir sheldis flew in cantellys. a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 1893 Now þey smyten faste samen: I wot, ther was lytull gamen. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. v. sig. D8^v As when a Gryfon..A Dragon fiers encountreth..: With hideous horror both together smight. IV. To have an effect on a person or a person's mind or emotions and related senses. 25. a. transitive. With into (formerly also †in). To cause (a person or (occasionally) an animal) to be in a particular state or condition, esp. suddenly or unexpectedly. In later use chiefly in passive. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > specific animate object > bring into specific condition by smitea1325 strikea1535 ding1770 a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3742 Moyses told hem al ðis answere, And he ben smiten in sorwes dere. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Zech. xii. 4 Y shal smyte eche hors in to dreed, or leesyng of mynde, and the styer of hym in to wodenesse [L. amentiam]. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 1076 Þei were a partie smyten into elde. a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xxvi. l. 284 (MED) I..Am an Old man & smeten Into Elde. a1475 Sidrak & Bokkus (Lansd.) (1999) II. l. 7816 For his kunnyng shal he noght Smite him into an yuel þoght. 1582 T. Bentley Seuenth Lampe Virginitie in Sixt Lampe Virginitie 327 The Iewes hearing this matter, were wonderfully smitten into saddenesse. 1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 29 If we look not wisely on the Sun it self, it smites us into darknes. 1678 T. Jones Of Heart & Soveraign 210 Every conscience, (upon its reflection and sence of such a War) is..smitten into Infinite repentance and restitution. 1828 Rep. Proc. Dublin Metrop. Reformation Soc. 70 They were smitten into deep abasement at the Atheist's mad assertion. 1899 C. M. Sheldon In his Steps (rev. ed.) i. 9 Henry Maxwell..stood there smitten into dumb astonishment at the event. 1922 Christian Cent. 9 Nov. 1395/1 Pasteur was dead and immortalized before our university town was smitten into an interest in milk inspection. 1976 Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.) 26 Feb. 17/1 If they were girls, it smote them into wedlock. 2013 J. Braly Life in Marital Inst. iii. 19 I looked up to strike back but was smitten into silence by a remarkable pair of legs sheathed in black spandex. †b. transitive. With adjective as complement: to cause (a person) to be in a specified condition. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. iii. vii. 208 Rabidity smites others rabid. 26. a. transitive. Of the heart, conscience, or spirit: to cause (a person) to have painful feelings such as guilt or remorse; to distress; to disquiet. Now literary or archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > upset or perturb [verb (transitive)] > of the heart or conscience smitea1382 society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > repentance or contrition > repent (sin, wrongdoing, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > affect with remorse > prick, smite, etc., with remorse prickOE smitea1382 tanga1400 grudgec1460 to hit home1627 twinge1647 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 2 Kings xxiv. 10 Þe herte of dauiþ smoot [L. percussit] hym aftir þat þe puple is noumbrid. 1584 Counter-poyson 145 His owne conscience smote him with the gylte of it. 1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. xxiv. 5 Dauids heart smote him, because he had cut off Sauls skirt. View more context for this quotation a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1659 (1955) III. 229 My heart smote me for it. 1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 126 My Heart smote me, suggesting how much better this Poor Man's Foundation was, on which he staid in the Danger, than mine. 1795 S. J. Pratt Gleanings through Wales I. ix. 116 Our townfolk imagine his conscience smites him. 1806 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Inferno II. xix. 29 Meanwhile, as thus I sung, he, whether wrath Or conscience smote him, violent upsprang. a1858 H. W. Herbert Fair Puritan (1875) v. 38 His spirit smote him for his unkindness. 1913 T. Hardy Changed Man 262 His heart smote him at the thought that..he might have been the means of forwarding the unhappy fugitive's capture. 1951 Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gaz. 25 Oct. 32/3 Its plot is..about a man running away from his wife and smitten by his conscience. 2001 G. Morris Jacob's Way 115 Reisa noticed how slowly Jacob moved, and her heart smote her. b. transitive. To trouble (the conscience, heart, etc.); to cause painful feelings in (a person). Cf. to smite to a person's heart at Phrases 2.In quot. ?a1425 as part of an extended metaphor in which the mind or soul is compared to a fortress under attack. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > upset or perturb [verb (transitive)] to-wendc893 mingeOE dreveOE angerc1175 sturb?c1225 worec1225 troublec1230 sturble1303 disturbc1305 movea1325 disturblec1330 drubblea1340 drovec1350 distroublec1369 tempestc1374 outsturba1382 unresta1382 stroublec1384 unquietc1384 conturb1393 mismaya1400 unquemea1400 uneasec1400 discomfita1425 smite?a1425 perturbc1425 pertrouble?1435 inquiet1486 toss1526 alter1529 disquiet1530 turmoil1530 perturbate1533 broil1548 mis-set?1553 shake1567 parbruilyiec1586 agitate1587 roil1590 transpose1594 discompose1603 harrow1609 hurry1611 obturb1623 shog1636 untune1638 alarm1649 disorder1655 begruntlea1670 pother1692 disconcert1695 ruffle1701 tempestuate1702 rough1777 caddle1781 to put out1796 upset1805 discomfort1806 start1821 faze1830 bother1832 to put aback1833 to put about1843 raft1844 queer1845 rattle1865 to turn over1865 untranquillize1874 hack1881 rock1881 to shake up1884 to put off1909 to go (also pass) through a phase1913 to weird out1970 ?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 349 (MED) I suffre þe intellect for to be smyte of a maner derknes of þe soule. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 1366 Thi febyll wordis sall nocht my conscience smyt. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xxiv. 5 It smote him afterwarde in his hert, because he had cut of the typpe of Sauls garment. 1696 W. D. Mercy Triumphant 116 The Lord smote my conscience, and sorely troubled my spirit for this backsliding. 1790 ‘Andronicus’ Key to Pilgrim's Progress xiii. 151 The convincing Power of the Law is dreadful when it smites the Conscience for particular Sins. 1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vii. xxii. 167 Her flight..smote my lonesome heart more than all misery. 1874 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Mar. 371/2 With a look of compassion and pitiful sweetness which smote him to the very soul. 1944 Jrnl. Relig. 24 198/2 A great and deep sorrow smote his heart. 2013 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 9 Oct. 31 An appeal..may, even after all these years, smite their conscience and prompt them to tell what they know. 27. a. transitive. Chiefly in passive with with (later also by). To impress or strike (esp. a person) suddenly or strongly with a particular passion, feeling or emotion, esp. with a painful feeling such as fear, remorse, or grief; to afflict. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > quality of affecting the emotions > affect with emotion [verb (transitive)] > strike with emotion smitea1393 incuss1527 strike1533 incute1542 rapt?1577 fix1664 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 265 Withoute good discrecioun This king with avarice is smite. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15643 Wit strang dred he smiton was. a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 1846 (MED) Mankynd..Wyth Schryfte and Penauns he is smete. c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) lviii Artow seke or smyt with jelousye? 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxi. A I am afrayed, and my flesh is smytten with feare. a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Prophetesse iii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Eeee^v/1 'T was I that..smote ye all with terrour. 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 559 But Satan smitten with amazement fell. View more context for this quotation 1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. i. 354 Smit with Love of Honourable Deeds. 1794 R. Snowden Amer. Revol. II. i. 8 The Barbarians were smitten with fear and fled. 1829 T. Hood Dream Eugene Aram in Gem 1 111 The Usher took six hasty strides, As smit with sudden pain. 1854 C. Dickens Hard Times i. xii. 96 He had sometimes seen a shade of melancholy on her blessed face, that smote him with remorse and despair. 1872 ‘Adeline’ Annesley Court xxii. 216 He was..harrowed by remorse, smitten by dread. 1923 U. L. Silberrad Lett. Jean Armiter ii. 50 Jethro is smitten with admiration of her agility; ‘nippiness’ he calls it. 1973 Official Rep. Deb. (Council of Europe Consultative Assembly, 24th Ordinary Sess. (Second Part)) II. 529/2 It is a tragedy that none of us comes to the real frontiers of understanding until his soul is smitten by grief. 2007 C. S. Dagnan Chocolate Kisses for Couples vi. 115 I'm smitten with guilt. Surely we could do something more practical, more urgent with this money. b. transitive. Of a thought, an idea, etc.: to occur suddenly to (a person); to strike; to enter (the brain or mind). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > idea, notion, or concept > occur to [verb (transitive)] > suddenly smite1797 1797 M. Robinson Walsingham II. xxvi. 35 At that instant an idea smote my brain. 1854 G. W. M. Reynolds Myst. Court London II. 3rd Ser. 188/1 The conviction smote him that this was the lady who had purchased the poison. 1870 W. M. Baker New Timothy 104 A sudden thought smote her. 1907 Everybody's Mag. July 72/2 In the midst of his amazement, a sudden recollection smote him. 1918 Outlook 10 July 429/1 My mind was smitten with the absurd idea that it was the French Sopwith we had been sent to protect! 2002 B. D. Michel Fortress of Rebel 322 When she finally reined in her emotions, another thought smote her. †28. intransitive. With in or into. To pass or fall into (a particular state). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > change [verb (intransitive)] > pass into state, become yworthOE worthOE goOE becomec1175 come?a1200 waxc1220 charea1225 aworthc1275 makea1300 fallc1300 breedc1325 grow1340 strikea1375 yern1377 entera1382 turna1400 smitec1400 raxa1500 resolvea1500 to get into ——?1510 waxen1540 get1558 prove1560 proceed1578 befall1592 drop1654 evade1677 emerge1699 to turn out1740 to gain into1756 permute1864 slip1864 c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1763 With smoþe smylyng & smolt þay smeten in-to merþe. a1500 (?a1475) Guy of Warwick (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 1196 (MED) To þe erthe he felle downe And smete in a grete swowne. †29. intransitive. With in. Of a thought: to enter suddenly into a person's mind. Obsolete.In quot. c1450 with it as anticipatory subject and that-clause as complement. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > idea, notion, or concept > come to mind, occur [verb (intransitive)] > suddenly smitec1450 shoot1542 rejounce1556 to break in1713 to cross one's mind, etc. (rarely to cross one)1768 surge up1853 strobe1977 c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 20 It smate in his mynd þat it was bod ane illusion of þe devull. 30. intransitive. With on or upon. To impact strongly on or upon a person or thing; to assault (the ear). Now rare (literary in later use). ΚΠ 1639 T. Cary tr. J. Puget de la Serre Mirrour which flatters Not i. 8 Whatsoever shall smite upon his eare, will resound nothing but the bruit of his flight, and yet he will not thinke upon his retreat. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 298 The torrid Clime Smote on him sore besides. View more context for this quotation 1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc viii. 303 The Maid started—for the sound Smote on her heart. 1837 J. G. Whittier in N.-Y. Mirror 30 Dec. 210/1 Iron clang and hammer's ringing, Smote upon his ear. 1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. iii. 36 The words smote heavily on Eliza's heart. 1917 A. E. W. Mason Four Corners of World 99 The sharp contrast between the grime of the town and the loveliness of green and leaf.., smote upon him almost with pain. 1968 E. Bowen Eva Trout i. ix. 100 The bedlam of the café smote upon them..commandingly. 31. a. transitive. To inspire passion or love, esp. romantic love, in (a person or the heart); to enamour. Chiefly in passive with with or by (the object of love). Cf. smitten adj. and n. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > be in love or infatuated with [verb (transitive)] > inflame with love or desire enamour1303 assot1393 burna1400 shoot?1473 esprise1474 talent1486 enamorate1591 inamorate1624 smite1652 besmite1685 to be struck on1893 1652 tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède Cleopatra ii. 97 By degrees, from a particular esteem which she had for him, she passed into a well-wishing, which insensibly introduced a reall love of him. Had any woman else been so smitten, she would have concealed it for ever. 1663 S. Pepys Diary 1 Jan. (1971) IV. 1 Lord Chesterfield..is..put away from Court upon the score of his lady's having smitten the Duke of York. 1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 80. ⁋3 Phillis one Day..smote the Heart of a gay West-Indian. a1753 P. Drake Memoirs (1755) II. xiv. 243 He soon gave me to understand he was smitten with the Landlady. 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xvii. 149 Young..Lieutenant Spatterdash..was evidently and quickly smitten by Mrs. Crawley. 1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. i. iii. 39 Hath one of you a girl with whom he's smitten. 1936 J. Cary Afr. Witch xviii. 275 I know why you're going with the man—it's because you're smitten by the young sister. 2012 Hoosier Times (Bloomington, Indiana) 30 Dec. (Herald-Times ed.) (Parade section) 8/1 I was smitten with Deborah, but she viewed me as her buddy, her pal. b. transitive. To create a favourable impression on (a person, the mind, etc.); to strike (a person) favourably; to impress. Chiefly in passive with with or by. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > effect produced on emotions > have an effect on [verb (transitive)] > favourably smite1665 1665 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim 158 They note the pretty stories,..and here and there a small sentence which smites their fancy. 1729 A. Pope Dunciad (new ed.) iii. 227 See now, what Dulness and her sons admire; See! what the charms, that smite the simple heart. 1785 W. Cowper Task v. 210 Smit with the beauty of so fair a scene. 1847 H. Miller Test. Rocks (1857) 3 Smit by the singular ingenuity of the philosophic infidel. 1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 191 Plato is smitten with some features of government which he finds in Egypt. 1959 Arizona Republic 26 Oct. 23/1 She visited Roosevelt Dam and was smitten by the beauty of America's first reclamation project. 2008 C. Dorn Hierophant of 100th Street xiv. 132 He was smitten by the intelligence of her coppery eyes. Phrases P1. a. to smite (a person, animal, etc.) to (the) death: to kill (a person or animal), often with a sword or other weapon. Also figurative.Frequently with reference to biblical use.Cf. to beat (also stone, †slay, etc.) to death at death n. Phrases 1a(a), and to the death at death n. Phrases 2a(a). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (transitive)] > strike severely > so as to cause serious injury or death slayc893 to smite to deathc1175 smitec1275 c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14677 Abraham..hof þe swerd..To smitenn itt [sc. Isaac] to dæde. c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 4941 Þer he carf wiþ swerd and smot Mani to þe deþ. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. iii. l. 322 Ne no man bere wepne, And what smyth þat ony smyteth [probably read smytheth; c1400 Trin. Cambr. B.15.17 smyþeþ] be smyte þerwith to dethe. 1592 A. Munday tr. L. T. A. Masque of League sig. M^v God smote to death three-score and ten men of the chiefest sort. 1679 J. Cave Serm. Jan. 30 25 He [sc. David] caused the poor Amalekite to be smitten to death for having a hand in his blood. 1765 L. Abbott Poems Var. Subj. 27 An hundred thousand at the first Essay He smote to Death. a1822 P. B. Shelley in Athenæum (1832) 8 Dec. 794/3 The abortion, with which she travaileth, Is Liberty, smitten to death. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxviii. 113 When those monster birds..his arrow Smote to the death. 1908 Times 5 Feb. 11/3 The kind, manly, friendly King..is smitten to death as he sits. 1932 Van Wert (Ohio) Daily Bull. 5 Nov. 4/3 The Democrats..sword in hand, declared they would bring forth measures that would smite to the death all our economic troubles. 2015 Africa News (Nexis) 9 Jan. The same God that caused Herod to be smitten to death and eaten up by worms is still around. b. to smite (a person or animal) dead: to kill (a person or animal). ΚΠ a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) v. ix. l. 91 In the skyis [he] smait hir ded. 1652 in J. Raymond Making News (1993) iv. 187 The blow was admirable, and the providence wonderfull; for some had no harm at all while others were smitten dead that touched them. 1708 J. Woodward Greivous Scandal Prophane Lang. (ed. 2) 13 It would have been better for you, that God should have smitten you dead on the spot. 1832 Penny Mag. 15 Sept. 235/2 In glided the snake... I stood prepared and instantly smote him dead. 1905 B. Burleigh Empire of East xviii. 273 When the first glinting white-steel frost comes careering down from Siberia, these venomous, countless myriads [of flies] are smitten dead. 1999 Hobart Mercury (Nexis) 6 Feb. Cloisters of learning, inhabited by clever dicks who will smite you dead if you split an infinitive. †P2. to smite to a person's heart: to trouble a person's heart; to affect a person emotionally. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)] > afflict with pangs pingeOE prickOE bite?c1200 to smite to a person's hearta1225 stingc1386 hita1400 tanga1400 prickle?a1513 pang1520 punch1548 stimulate1548 twinge1647 a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 135 (MED) Ȝif hitt [sc. desire] cumð ofte smitende to ðin hierte, wite þu to soðe ðat hit is of dieule. c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 1481 Hit smot to hornes herte So bitere þat hit smerte. ?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 74 Ȝour swemynge smytyht to myn hert depe. P3. to smite (a person or thing) to the ground (also earth, floor): to knock or strike (a person or thing) to the ground (also with object implied). Also figurative: to destroy. Cf. to smite down 1 at Phrasal verbs. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low > knock down to smite (a person or thing) to the groundc1250 weve13.. pallc1390 to knock downc1450 nolpc1540 call1729 c1250 in Englische Studien (1935) 70 234 (MED) Wid one asse chehec bone he smet hine to grunde. c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) l. 639 Hi gonne me assaille,..Ismot hem alle to grunde. c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 550 (MED) By þre, by foure, myd þe tayle To þe grounde he smoot. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 172 To ground he smat him quhar he stud. ?1533 W. Tyndale Expos. Mathew v. f. li If he wyl not yelde in the kynges name, thou must laye on and smyte hym to grounde tyll he be subdued. 1650 Mercurius Pragmaticus (for King Charls II) No. 44. sig. Xx He can at pleasure smite them to the earth, and lay all their accumulated mountains of self promised happinesse levell with the lowest ditches of misery. 1782 H. More David & Goliath iii. in Sacred Dramas 91 The famish'd lion by his griesly beard, Enrag'd, I caught, and smote him to the ground. 1834 S. L. Knapp Tales of Garden of Kosciuszko 198 No man is always a brute; and he did not smite her to the floor. 1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 249 The last hopes of the House of Godwine had been smitten to the ground. 1908 A. Lang Maid of France xiv. 158 She was smitten to the earth, but sprang up crying, ‘Amis, amis, sus, sus!’ 1948 W. S. Churchill Second World War I. ii. 28 The means of exchange of goods and services between man and man was smitten to the ground. †P4. to smite fire: to produce fire, esp. by striking a flint or other stone. In later use only with from. Cf. to strike fire at strike v. 30a(a), slay v.¹ 2. Obsolete (rare in later use). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > produce by striking > specific fire or sparks to smite firec1300 strike?c1450 c1300 St. Brendan (Laud) l. 644 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 237 He brouȝte a fuyr-Ire ant a ston, Þare-with to smite me fuyr. a1425 Medulla Gram. (Stonyhurst) f. 29^v Fugillo, smyte fure. a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) ii. l. 2503 Piroides..Fro flyntes smet fir daryng in the roote. a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 298 Whan þe nyȝt com, þe maide..smot fire at a stone. 1546 T. Langley tr. P. Vergil Abridgem. Notable Worke ii. xii. f. lix The shepardes diuised to smyte fyre by rubbyng of two peces of wood together. 1616 B. Jonson Speeches at Prince Henries Barriers 43 in Wks. I When in a day of honour fire was smit. 1671 J. Webster Metallographia vii. 115 He nameth four of other colours, forth of which fire is smitten. 1777 S. J. Pratt Trav. for Heart II. 129 They wished the friar in Heaven, for having smitten fire from the flint. 1879 E. Arnold Light of Asia iv. 97 Men Perished in winter-winds till one smote fire From flint-stones coldly hiding what they held. P5. Nautical. to smite the mizzen: to pull a rope attached to the mizzen sail in order to allow the sail to deploy. Now historical. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > strike or take in (sails) > lower (sail) > pull rope in order to to smite the mizzena1625 a1625 H. Mainwaring Nomenclator Navalis (Harl. 2301) 127 This Line is called a Smitting Line soe they smite the missen, that is pull the Roape that the Saile maie come downe. 1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Smite the missen, is to pull the aforesaid Rope [sc. the Smiting Line] that the Sail may fall down. 1870 R. Burn Naval & Mil. Techn. Dict. French Lang. (ed. 5) 208/2 Largue l'artimon! smite the mizzen! 1984 J. Harland Seamanship in Age of Sail v. 77/2 Smiting the mizzen, a ‘smiting line’ was made fast at the forward end of the yard, and made up with the sail... At the order, pulling the line broke the stops successively, allowing the canvas to deploy. †P6. Cambridge University slang. to smite one's tutor: to get money from one's tutor. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ 1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue To smite one's tutor, to get money from him. 1794 Gentleman's Mag. Dec. 1085/1 I resolved in this dilemma to smite my tutor. Phrasal verbs With adverbs in specialized senses. to smite down (formerly also †to smite adown) 1. transitive. To knock, beat, or strike down; to cut down with a sword or other weapon. Also figurative. Now chiefly literary or archaic.In quot. c1225 in to smite down one's knees to the earth: to fall to one's knees; to kneel down.Also with to the ground, earth, etc. (cf. to smite (a person or thing) to the ground (also earth, floor) at Phrases 3). ΚΠ c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 22 (MED) Ha..smat smeortliche adun hire cneon to þer eorðe &..to Crist..cleopede. c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 567 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 316 Hov is þat hit..smit a-doun wel grete treon? c1330 Simonie (Auch.) (1991) l. 360 Þat is muchel reuþe To wite Þat alle manere godnesse is þus adoun ismite. c1450 (a1400) Libeaus Desconus (Calig. A.ii) (1969) l. 1185 Þre stedes heeddes doun ryȝt He smot at strokes þre. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxlii. A For the enemie..smyteth my life downe to the grounde. 1611 Bible (King James) Judges xx. 39 Surely they are smitten downe before vs. View more context for this quotation 1642 J. B. Speciall Newes Army at Warwicke sig. A2 The Kings red Regiment of 12. hundred men..were..then abundantly smitten downe by the Orange Coats. a1741 T. Emlyn Serm. (1742) vii. 131 That surprizing stroke, which has smitten down to the ground one of the greatest lives in the world. 1785 G. Butt Isaiah Versified xxvi. 116 Dead are the tyrants, nor return to light; Thy hand hath smote 'em down no more to rise. 1839 L. H. Sigourney in Christian Keepsake 78 The parent may be doomed to see the child, in whom his proudest hopes were garnered up, smite down those hopes. 1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick cxxiv. 571 The lightning has actually struck the vessel, so as to smite down some of the spars and rigging. 1920 R. Kipling et al. in Q. Horati Flacci Carminum Librum Quintum v. 17 For fierce she-Britons, apt to smite Their upward-climbing sisters down. 2016 M. Schorr Identity Crisis xxii. 139 It wasn't just the higher power I needed to worry about smiting me down. I'd..discovered that what we'd done was breaking the law. †2. transitive. To lower or hang (one's head or face). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > posture > position of specific body parts > position specific body part [verb (transitive)] > head, face, or eyes warpc1175 lout1297 to smite downa1350 to cast downc1374 embowc1440 droop1582 vail1586 upturn1667 slink1683 poke1852 a1350 in R. H. Robbins Hist. Poems 14th & 15th Cent. (1959) 13 When the kyng of fraunce y-herde this tydynge, he smot doun is heued. a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) ii. l. 540 Wiþ þat he smot a-down his hed a-noon And gan to motre. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 466 Than she smote downe the hede and seyde but lytyll. 1534 Prymer in Eng. sig. H.vii^v When he had sayde these wordes, he smyte downe his heade & let go his breath And lo, the veile of the temple was cut in two partes. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 54 Downe she smote her visadge. to smite off transitive. To cut off (a person's head, hands, etc.) with a sword or other weapon. Now archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > strike off with a blow to smite offa1225 latch1535 wipe1596 to knock offa1616 slat1828 the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > detach [verb (transitive)] > cut off > with a sweeping stroke to smite offa1225 off-swipc1275 to strike offc1485 wipe1596 slash1689 to sweep off1707 a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 29 Al swa eða þu mihtest..smiten of þin aȝen heaueð and gan eft to þin aȝene liche. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13999 (MED) Ich igrap mi sweord leofe..and smæt of Modred is hafd. a1300 Passion our Lord l. 198 in R. Morris Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 43 Seynte peter..smot of Malkes ere. a1350 St. Juliana (Ashm.) (1957) 86 Com uorþ..my manquellare..And smyt of hire heued. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 328 Dardan for his lance doun to þe erth went & smote his hede of. c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1817 Men myghte smyte of hire arm or hed. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xiv. 222 He and frelent were besy to smyte of his heed. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 674 He..commaunded his heade there to be smitten off. a1618 W. Raleigh Life & Death Mahomet (1637) 203 With his own hands cut his throat and smoat off his head. 1682 W. Gough Londinum Triumphans 196 They..having him in their hands smote off his Head. 1717 J. Hughes tr. Suetonius Lives XII. Cæsars II. 303 Chærea..smote off his Jaw at a blow. 1799 E. Du Bois Fairy of Misfortune iv. 20 He..smote off the arm of a soldier. 1851 G. Borrow Lavengro II. vii. 47 When the fight was lost and his own two hands smitten off, [he] seized two chests of gold with his bloody stumps. 1860 Dial Apr. 236 He..seized the sword and smote off Carle's head. 1900 G. Murray Andromache iii. 112 Smite off his feet that he shall not pursue, and his hands that he may never lay hold of me! 1998 Analecta Hibernica No. 37. 204 Among his captors was a knave of Ireland,..who took a rusty sword and smote off his head with half a dozen strokes. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.¹a1200n.²1494v.eOE
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smiten.1

† smiten.2

smitev.

Phrases

Phrasal verbs

smiten.¹

† smiten.²