v.
- coat or mark with a greasy or sticky substance.
▸spread (a greasy or sticky substance) over a surface.
▸blur or smudge.
- damage the reputation of (someone) by false accusations.
n.
- a greasy or sticky mark.
- a false accusation.
- a sample thinly spread on a microscopic slide.
▸Brit. short for smear test.
- Climbing an insecure foothold.
Derivative
Etymology
OE smierwan (v.), smeoru ‘ointment, grease’, of Gmc origin.