Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SMEAR, v.t. [Sax. smerian, smirian; D. smeeren; G. schmieren; Dan. smörer; Sw. smörja; Ir. smearam; Russ. marayu; D. smeer; G. schmier, grease, tallow; Ir. smear, id.; Sw. and Dan. smör, butter. Qu. its alliance with marrow, marl, mire, from its softness. See Class Mr, No. 10, 21.]

1. To overspread with any thing unctuous, viscous or adhesive; to besmear; to daub; as, to smear any thing with oil, butter, pitch, &c. Milton. – Dryden.
2. To soil; to contaminate; to pollute; as, smeared with infamy. – Shak.