Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SMOOTH, v.t. [Sax. smethian.]

1. To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means; as, to smooth a board with a plane; to smooth cloth with an iron. And smooth'd the ruffled sea. – Dryden.
2. To free from obstruction; to make easy. Thou, Abelard, the last sad office pay, / And smooth my passage to the realms of day. – Pope.
3. To free from harshness; to make flowing. In their motions harmony divine / So smooths her charming tones. – Milton.
4. To palliate; to soften; as, to smooth a fault. – Shak.
5. To calm; to mollify; to allay. Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calm. – Milton.
6. To ease. The difficulty smoothed. – Dryden.
7. To flatter; to soften with blandishments. Because I can not flutter and look fair. Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive, and coy. – Shak.