besmear

English

Etymology

From Middle English bismerwen, from Old English besmirwan, besmierwan (to besmear), equivalent to be- + smear. Cognate with Dutch besmeren (to besmear), German beschmieren (to besmear).

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ɪə(ɹ)

Verb

besmear (third-person singular simple present besmears, present participle besmearing, simple past and past participle besmeared)

  1. (transitive) To smear over; smear all over; sully.
    • 1734, William Stukeley, Of the Gout, page 57:
      [] carters and coachmen, who make in imitation thereof a composition of grease and tar, with which they besmear the inside of the naves of wheels and the extremitys of the axis upon which they move.
    • 2012 January 26, Jim Vandehei, Mike Allen, “Drudge, conservative media criticize Newt Gingrich”, in Politico:
      His public record is already besmeared with tawdry divorces, []

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