smite

[ smahyt ]

verb (used with object)

, smote or (Obsolete) smit; smit·ten or smit; smit·ing.

1. to strike or hit hard, with or as with the hand, a stick, or other weapon:

   She smote him on the back with her umbrella.

   Synonyms: slap, buffet, cuff, knock

2. to deliver or deal (a blow, hit, etc.) by striking hard.
3. to strike down, injure, or slay:

   His sword had smitten thousands.

4. to afflict or attack with deadly or disastrous effect:

   smitten by polio.

5. to affect mentally or morally with a sudden pang:

   His conscience smote him.

6. to affect suddenly and strongly with a specified feeling:

   They were smitten with terror.

7. to impress favorably; charm; enamor:

   He was smitten by her charms.

verb (used without object)

, smote or (Obsolete) smit; smit·ten or smit; smit·ing.

1. to strike; deal a blow.

smite

/ smaɪt /

verb

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. intrfoll byon to strike forcibly or abruptly

   the sun smote down on him

Derived Forms

• ˈsmiter, noun

Other Words From

• smiter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of smite¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English smiten, Old English smītan; cognate with German schmeissen “to throw,” Dutch smijten

Word History and Origins

Origin of smite¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. smite hip and thigh. hip ¹( def 9 ).

Example Sentences

She wound up in a town she’d never noticed before, standing outside a bedraggled old motel, smitten.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite Ani responding to his compassionate greeting with violence, Igor remains smitten with the wife of his employer’s son.

From Salon

I was instantly smitten and nearly forgot why we were all taking that long drive from the San Fernando Valley to Inglewood.

From Los Angeles Times

I visited Trinidad back in college and was absolutely smitten with it.

From Salon

Appealing to his angsty sensitivity, she breaks through his tattooed shell and Eric, smitten and protective, returns the favor by breaking them both out of the facility.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afflict