Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Smooth

Smooth

(smoōth)
,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Smoother
(smoōth′ẽr)
;
sup
erl.
Smoothest
.]
[OE.
smothe
,
smethe
, AS.
smēðe
,
smœðe
, where ē, œ, come from an older ō; cf. LG.
smöde
,
smöe
,
smödig
; of uncertain origin.]
1.
Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough;
as,
smooth
glass;
smooth
porcelain.
Chaucer.
The outlines must be
smooth
, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities.
Dryden.
2.
Evenly spread or arranged; sleek;
as,
smooth
hair
.
3.
Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed;
as, a
smooth
stream
.
4.
Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent.
The only
smooth
poet of those times.
Milton.
Waller was
smooth
; but Dryden taught to join
The varying verse, the full-resounding line.
Pope.
When sage Minerva rose,
From her sweet lips
smooth
elocution flows.
Gay.
5.
Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering.
This
smooth
discourse and mild behavior oft
Conceal a traitor.
Addison.
6.
(Mech. & Physics)
Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless.
☞ Smooth is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, smooth-bodied, smooth-browed, smooth-combed, smooth-faced, smooth-finished, smooth-gliding, smooth-grained, smooth-leaved, smooth-sliding, smooth-speaking, smooth-woven, and the like.
Syn. – Even; plain; level; flat; polished; glossy; sleek; soft; bland; mild; soothing; voluble; flattering; adulatory; deceptive.

Smooth

,
adv.
Smoothly.
Chaucer.
Smooth
runs the water where the brook is deep.
Shakespeare

Smooth

,
Noun.
1.
The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths.
Thackeray.
2.
That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything.
“The smooth of his neck.”
Gen. xxvii. 16.

Smooth

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Smoothed
(smoōthd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Smoothing
.]
[OE.
smothen
,
smethen
, AS.
smēðian
; cf. LG.
smöden
. See
Smooth
,
Adj.
]
To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means;
as, to
smooth
a board with a plane; to
smooth
cloth with an iron.
Specifically: –
(a)
To free from obstruction; to make easy.
Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay,
And
smooth
my passage to the realms of day.
Pope.
(b)
To free from harshness; to make flowing.
In their motions harmony divine
So
smooths
her charming tones that God’s own ear
Listens delighted.
Milton.
(c)
To palliate; to gloze;
as, to
smooth
over a fault
.
(d)
To give a smooth or calm appearance to.
Each perturbation
smoothed
with outward calm.
Milton.
(e)
To ease; to regulate.
Dryden.

Smooth

,
Verb.
I.
To flatter; to use blandishment.
Because I can not flatter and speak fair,
Smile in men's faces,
smooth
, deceive and cog.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Smooth

SMOOTH

,
Adj.
[L. mitis.]
1.
Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points are perceptible to the touch; not rough; as smooth glass; smooth porcelain. The out lines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch.
2.
To free from obstruction; to make easy. Thou, Abelard, the last sad office pay, And smooth my passage to the realms of day.
3.
To free from harshness; to make flowing. In their motions harmony divine so smooths her charming tones.'
4.
To palliate; to soften; as, to smooth a fault.
5.
To calm; to mollify; to allay. Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calm.
6.
To ease. The difficulty smoothed.
7.
To flatter; to soften with blandishments. Because I cannot flatter and look fair, smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and coy.

Similar Results