Obs. Forms: 1 smyrels, 3 smuriles, smirles; 3–4 smerieles, smerles (4 -lis). [OE. smyrels, f. smyrian to SMEAR v. Cf. MSw. smyr-, smörilse (Sw. smörjelse), MDa. smørielse (Da. smørelse).] Ointment.

1

  In Small’s Metr. Hom. 17 the form smersles may either be an error for smerles, or the pl. of smersel, = ON. and Icel. smyrsl.

2

a. 1000.  Canons Edgar, 66, in Thorpe, Laws, II. 258. We lærað þæt preosta ʓehwilc æʓðer hæbbe ʓe fulluht-ele ʓe seocum smyrels.

3

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., II. 508. He ʓehælde an mæden, mid halwendum smyrelse ʓehalʓodes eles.

4

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 145. [Mary Magdalene] nam ane box … and hine fulde mid derewurðe smerieles.

5

a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 1599. Þe engles wið smirles of aromaz smireden hire wunden.

6

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14003. A bost sco has o smerles nummen.

7

c. 1325.  Metr. Hom., 97. The thrid gift thai him tok Was a smerlis, als sais the boc.

8

1340.  Ayenb., 137. He ne may naȝt þolye þane guode smel of þe ilke smerieles.

9