Smooth (?), a. [Compar. Smoother (?); superl. Smoothest.] [OE. smothe, smethe, AS. smedhe, smoedte, where e, oe, come from an older o; cf. LG. smode, smoe, smodig; 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.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Smooth, adv.
Smoothly.
Chaucer.
Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Smooth, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smoothed (smoothd); p. pr. & vb. n. Smoothing.] [OE. smothen, smethen, AS. smedhian; cf. LG. smoden. 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.