Smooth , v. i. To flatter; to use blandishment.
Because I can not flatter and speak fair,
Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog.
Shak.
Smooth , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smoothed
(sm&oomac;thd); p. pr. & vb. n. Smoothing.]
[OE. smothen,
smethen, AS. smēðian; cf. LG.
smöden. See Smooth, a.]
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. Specifically:
--
(a) To free from
obstruction; to make easy.
Thou, Abelard! the last sad
office pay,
And smooth my passage to
the realms of day.
Pope.
(b) To free from harshness; to make flowing.
In their motions
harmony divine
So smooths her charming tones that God's own ear
Listens delighted.
Milton.
(c) To palliate; to gloze; as, to
smooth over a fault.
(d) To give a smooth
or calm appearance to.
Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm.
Milton. (e) To ease; to regulate. Dryden.
Smooth , n.
1. The act
of making smooth; a stroke which smooths.
Thackeray.
2. That
which is smooth; the smooth part of anything. "The smooth of his neck."
Gen. xxvii. 16.
Smooth , adv. Smoothly. Chaucer.
Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.
Shak.
Smooth (sm&oomac;&thlig;), a. [Compar. Smoother (-&etilde;r);
superl. Smoothest.]
[OE. smothe,
smethe, AS. smēðe, smœðe, where ē, œ, come from an older ō; cf. LG.
smöde, smöe,
smödig; of uncertain origin.]
1. Having an even surface, or a
surface so even that no
roughness or points can be perceived by the touch;
not rough; as, smooth glass; smooth porcelain. Chaucer.
The outlines must
be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities.
Dryden.
2. Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair.
3. Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream.
4. Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent.
The only smooth poet of those times.
Milton. Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join
The
varying verse, the full-resounding line.
Pope. When
sage Minerva rose,
From her sweet lips smooth elocution
flows.
Gay.
5. Bland; mild; smoothing;
fattering.
This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft
Conceal a traitor.
Addison.
6. (Mech. & Physics)
Causing no resistance
to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless.
&fist; Smooth is often used in the formation of selfexplaining compounds; as, smooth-bodied, smooth- browed, smooth-combed,
smooth-faced, smooth- finished, smooth-gliding, smooth-grained, smooth- leaved, smooth-sliding, smooth-speaking, smooth- woven, and the like.
Syn. -- Even; plain; level; flat; polished; glossy; sleek; soft; bland; mild; soothing; voluble; flattering; adulatory;
deceptive.
Hear it pronounced