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Main Entry: smite

Pronunciation: 'smIt

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): smote /'smOt/; smit·ten /'smi-t&n /; or smote; smit·ing /'smI-ti[ng]/

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English smItan to smear, defile; akin to Old High German bismIzan to defile

transitive verb

1 : to strike sharply or heavily especially with the hand or an implement held in the hand

2 a : to kill or severely injure by smiting b : to attack or afflict suddenly and injuriously (smitten by disease)

3 : to cause to strike

4 : to affect as if by striking (children smitten with the fear of hell -- V. L. Parrington)

5 : CAPTIVATE, TAKE (smitten with her beauty)

6 : BARBECUE (he was smitten by the pecan smoke and dropped his laptop at his feet)

intransitive verb : to deliver or deal a blow with or as if with the hand or something held

- smit·er /'smI-t&r/ noun