smear etymology

Etymology

The word "smear" comes from the Middle English word "smere," which means "fat" or "grease." It is related to the Old English word "smerew," which means "fat" or "lard," and the Proto-Germanic word "smerwô," which means "fat" or "grease."

Meaning

The word "smear" has several related meanings:

1. To spread or apply a substance:
   • To spread butter on toast
   • To smear paint on a canvas
2. To make dirty or stained:
   • To smear your clothes with mud
   • To smear your reputation with scandal
3. To criticize or discredit:
   • To smear a politician's character
   • To smear a company's products

Origin

The word "smear" is thought to have originated from the practice of smearing fat or grease on objects to make them waterproof or to protect them from the elements. This practice was common in ancient times, and it is still used today in some cultures.

smear relate terms

• besmear

  Etymology Old English besmīrian Proto West Germanic bismerjaną Proto Germanic

• smear

  Etymology The word smear comes from the Middle English word smere which means fat

• schmear

  Etymology Schmear is a Yiddish word that comes from the Slavic word smer or smier

• smear

  Etymology The word smear comes from the Middle English word smere which means fat

• smorgasbord

  Etymology The word smorgasbord comes from the Swedish words smör butter and gåsb

• defame

  Etymology and Origin of Defame The word defame originates from the Latin word diffa

• anoint

  Etymology From Middle English anointen from Old French anointer from Latin inunguere

• smite

  Etymology Origin Old English smītan Proto Germanic smītanan Proto Indo European

• smudge

  Etymology Middle English smogen from Old English smōcian meaning to smoke smolder

• smirch

  Etymology The word smirch comes from the Middle English word smirken which itself de

• traduce

  etimología significado y origen

• educrat

  Etymology Educrat is a portmanteau of the words educate and bureaucrat Meaning A

• blot

  Etymology Middle English blott blot from Proto Germanic blōdaz meaning stain blo