Category:Smooth

Smooth, a. [compar. Smoother; superl. Smoothest.] Etym: [oe. smothe, Smethe, as. smeedhe, smoeedte, where e, oe, come from an older o; 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)

Defn: causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; Frictionless.

Note: smooth is often used in the formation of selfexplaining 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 Smooth, adv.

Defn: smoothly. Chaucer. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. Shak.

Smooth Smooth, n.

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 Smooth, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smoothed (smoothd); p. pr. & vb. n. Smoothing.] Etym: [oe. smothen, smethen, as. smeedhian; cf. Lg. Smöden. See smooth, a.]

Defn: 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 Smooth, v. i.

Defn: to flatter; to use blandishment. Because i can not flatter and speak fair, smile in men's faces, Smooth, deceive and cog. Shak.