Obs. exc. dial. Forms: 1 smeðian, smeðan, 2 smeþien, 3 smeðen, 4–5 smeþe, 4–6 smethe, 8 smeath, 9 smeeth. [OE. smeðian and sméðan, f. smeðe SMEETH a.] trans. To make smooth. Also absol.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., II. 210. Ærest him is to sellanne þæt þone innoð stille & smeþe.
a. 1100. in Napier, O. E. Glosses, 47/2. Salebrosos complanans anfractus, woʓe smeþiende hylcas.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 31. He wile seggen and foxliche smeþien mid worde, Nabbe ic nawiht þer-of.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 4. Rihten hire & smeðen hire is of euch religiun … al þe strengðe.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 27. Ah Ichulle scheawen hit al wið falsehipe ismeðet.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. lviii. (Bodl. MS.). Enula … haþ vertu to plane and to smethe … and to comforte senewes. Ibid., XIX. xlv. Bitter þinges … bi … drynes … beþ made smeþinge & softinge.
1788. W. H. Marshall, Yorksh., II. 353.
1829. Brockett, N. C. Gloss. (ed. 2), Smeeth, to smooth.
1886. Holland, Chester Gloss., Smeeth, to iron linen.
1894. Heslop, Northumbld. Gloss., 661. Smeeth (the th as in seethe), to smooth.
