north. Obs. In 4 smitt(e, smite, 5 smyte. [Possibly related to next and to SMITE v., and orig. denoting a small piece struck off: cf. Norw. smitt (Ross) and G. schmitzen in the same sense. In the later quots. the rhyme-words indicate the form smĭte: the common mod. dial. smite does not quite correspond to this.] A very small piece or portion; a little bit.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 18735. Left he noght þar-of a smitt, Of all þe lagh, þat he ne held it.
a. 1325. in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1878), 146. Ich comand þe … Þat þi fader liif be write, & min also, eueri smite.
c. 1425. Seven Sages (P.), 1959. The Emperour … wende hit were al gospel That the clerkys dyden hym to wite, And al was fals every smyte.
