English Dictionary

Definition of “smite

smite (smaɪtPronunciation for smite

Definitions

verb

Word forms: smites, smiting, smote, smitten, smit
(mainly tr) mainly archaic 
  1. to strike with a heavy blow or blows
  2. to damage with or as if with blows
  3. to afflict or affect severely  ⇒ smitten with flu 
  4. to afflict in order to punish
  5. (intr)  foll by on to strike forcibly or abruptly  ⇒ the sun smote down on him 

Alternative Forms

ˈsmiter noun

Word Origin

Old English smītan;  related to Old High German smīzan  to smear, Gothic bismeitan,  Old Swedish smēta to daub

Usage examples

  • He is weary now, and grieved, and he has taken a hurt like the Lady owyn, daring to smite that deadly thing.
    J.R.R. Tolkien, THE LORD OF THE RINGS (2004)
  • She is a cruel but fair mother: indulgent when praised for her beauty, quick to smite when her sensibilities have been offended.
    Spiked (2002)
  • Personally, I can't wait to see Woods smite his ball down the first fairway at Muirfield.
    Sun, News of the World (2002)
  • Lo, how the torrents smite their breasts with stones as on they go!
    John Freely, JEM SULTAN: The Adventures of a Captive Turkish Prince in Renaissance Europe (2004)

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