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

I was smitten with their work and wanted to share it because they offer a glimpse of a world beyond our own worries.

From Time

How many vulgar tones my doubtful earWould smite, with deep disgust inspiring me,With doubt tormented, holding hard my breath!

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed every moment as if the prodigious paw of the grizzly would smite him to the earth, when no human power could save him.

From Project Gutenberg

Does not your heart smite you when you think of the country which gave you birth?'

From Project Gutenberg

Then he assoiled them and blessed them, giving them for penance, to smite their best.

From Project Gutenberg

I coloured, partly with the praise and partly because I was wondering how many Smite-and-spare-nots I was worth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• afflict