English Explanatory Dictionary

besmear

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To smear over, to smear all over, to daub.
  2. To damage the reputation of, to tarnish, to sully.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-besmear.wav

Word forms

besmear besmears besmearing besmeared

Etymology

From Middle English *bismerwen, from Old English besmirwan, besmierwan (“to besmear”), equivalent to be- + smear. Cognate with Dutch besmeren (“to besmear”), German beschmieren (“to besmear”).

Synonyms

bedaub bedirty soil assoil beclart imbrue (especially with blood) bedizen befile befilth befoul begrime beray beshit besmear besmirch besully bewray blacken blot blur clat contaminate darken defile dirten dirty elt file foil foul gunk gunk up inquinate scunge sling mud slotter slur smear smirch smudge smut smutch soss sowl spot stain sullow sully tarnish uggle slander assassinate asperse backbite badmouth belibel blame blaze blemish calumniate

Derived words

besmearer
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