smear´er

smear «smihr», verb, noun, adjective.

–v.t.

1. to cover or stain with anything sticky, grease or dirty: »

She smeared her fingers with jam.

2. to rub or spread (oil, grease, or paint): »

to smear paint on one's hands.

3. to rub or wipe (a brush, hand, or cloth) so as to make a mark or stain: »

... smearing his sleeve across his mouth (Dickens).

4. Figurative. to mark; soil; spoil: »

to smear a person's good reputation.

SYNONYM(S): sully.

5. U.S. Slang, Figurative. to defeat or rout decisively; overwhelm.

–v.i.

to receive a mark or stain; be smeared: »

Wet paint smears easily.

╂[Old English smerian rub with oil]

–n.

1. a mark or stain left by smearing; daub or blotch: »

There are smears of paint on the wallpaper. She put her lips to the bandage and left a little smear of orange lipstick (Graham Greene).

2. a small amount of something spread on a slide for microscopic examination, or on the surface of a culture medium.

3. a mixture for glazing pottery by evaporating salt or other substances.

4. Figurative. the act of smearing someone's reputation; slander: »

Criticism, as an instrument not of inquiry and reform, but of power, quickly degenerates into the techniques of deceit and smear (Harper's).

–adj.

intended as a smear; slanderous; defamatory: »

a smear campaign, smear tactics.

╂[Old English smeoru grease]

–smear´er, noun.