Smooth

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.

Smooth, adv. Smoothly. Chaucer.

Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.

Smooth, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smoothed (sm?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.

(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. Dryden.

Smooth (sm?th), a. [Compar. Smoother (-ẽr); 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.

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.

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.

5. Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering.

This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft
Conceal a traitor.

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.

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.