Forms: 7 smithom, 8–9 smithum, 9 smithem, 7–8 (9) smytham, 8–9 smitham. [var. of SMEDDUM, in sense 2 perh. associated with SMITH sb. or v.]
1. The finest particles or dust of ground malt. Also attrib. Now dial.
1620. Markham, Farew. to Husb. (1625), 61. Your Malt-dust which is the sprout, come, smytham, and other excrements of the malt.
1649. Blithe, Eng. Improver Impr. (1652), 127. That so it may receive part of Smithom-Meale.
1883. Almondbury Gloss., 123. Smithum, the smallest of malt.
2. Mining. The finest part of lead ore, usu. obtained by passing through a sieve, and afterwards ground to powder.
1653. Manlove, Customs Lead Mines, 274. Trunks and Sparks of oar. Sole of the Rake, Smytham, and many more.
1681. T. Houghton, Compl. Miner, Gloss., Smytham is Lead Ore stamp’d and pounded down [etc.].
1747. Hooson, Miner’s Dict., s.v. Buddle, They must have clear Water enough, otherwise the Smytham will look bad.
1778. Pryce, Min. Cornub., 244. To separate and cleanse the Ore, which they call Smitham.
1839. Ure, Dict. Arts, 751. The sediment called smitham is taken out, and piled up in heaps.
1865. Meteyard, J. Wedgwood, I. 125. After the vessels are painted, they lead them with a sort of lead ore they call ‘Smithum.’
3. Coal-mining. (See quots.)
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, 228. Smithem or Smytham. 1. Fine slack. 2. Clay or shale between two beds of coal.
1891. Sheffield Gloss., Suppl. 53. Smithum, small coal, slack.
