SMOOTH • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Smooth

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adjective

Smooth adj. (compar. smoother; superl. smoothest)

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. "The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities."

Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair.

Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream.

Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent. "The only smooth poet of those times." "Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join The varying verse, the full-resounding line." "When sage Minerva rose, From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows."

Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering. "This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft Conceal a traitor."

(Mech. & Physics) Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless. Note: Smooth is often used in the formation of self-explaining 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.

Synonyms: Even; plain; level; flat; polished; glossy; sleek; soft; bland; mild; soothing; voluble; flattering; adulatory; deceptive.

verb

Smooth v. t. (past & past part. smoothed; pres. part. smoothing) 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."

(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."

(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."

(e)

To ease; to regulate.

Smooth v. i. (past & past part. smoothed; pres. part. smoothing) To flatter; to use blandishment. "Because I can not flatter and speak fair, Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog."

noun

Smooth n.

The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths.

That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything. "The smooth of his neck."

adverb

Smooth adv. Smoothly. "Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep."

See images of 'Smooth'

Etymology of 'Smooth'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Smooth" Quotes from Famous Books

... vague narrative of a misadventure that had befallen her putative offspring, the doll that Sister Nora had given her last year. Struvvel Peter had met with an accident, his shock head having got in a candle-flame in Mrs. Picture's room upstairs, so that he was quite smooth before he could be rescued. The interest of this ...

— When Ghost Meets Ghost • William Frend De Morgan

... the Atlantic know, or, indeed, care to know, that their comfort and the rate at which they travel through the water—they who talk so glibly of making the passage in such and such a time, be the sea smooth or rough, and the wind fine or contrary—that all this depends on the unceasing vigilance of the officers in charge of the ...

— The Ghost Ship - A Mystery of the Sea • John C. Hutcheson

... for a summer residence, she selected fine straw-matting, instead of woollen carpets for it. She put it down with great care, perfectly smooth and even. The wall was covered with the same cool material, delicately woven. ...

— The Nest in the Honeysuckles, and other Stories • Various

... he writes to please, and not to serve, he is a flatterer and a hypocrite; if to serve and not to please, he turns cynic and satirist. The first deals in smooth falsehood, the last in rough scandal; the last may do some good, though little; the first does no good, and may do mischief, not a little; the last provokes your rage, the first provokes your pride; and in a word either of them is hurtful rather than ...

— Daniel Defoe • William Minto

... she do it, some one come up swift, and catch her hand and say: 'Ma'm'selle, let's do it together'—like that! It take her breath away. It is M'sieu' Hadrian. He not seem like the other men she know; but he have a sharp look, he is smooth in the face, and he smile kind like a woman. P'tite Louison, she give him her hand, and they run away, and every one stop to look. It is a gran' sight. M'sieu' Hadrian laugh, and his teeth shine, and the ladies say things ...

— The Judgment House • Gilbert Parker

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