sb. pl. colloq. and dial. [var. of next, with Irish diminutive ending, and either adopted from, or the source of, mod. Ir. smidirín.] Small fragments; atoms. Usually in phrases to knock, split, blow (etc.) to or into, to go to, smithereens. Also fig.
1810. Examiner, 19 Aug., 517/2. If you do not be off directly,… we will break your carriage in smithereens.
1841. S. C. Hall, Ireland, I. 68. The harness that was broke into smithereens. Ibid., III. 303. The sun … split it into smithereens.
1861. Clara Bromley, Woman’s Wand. in West. World, 189. A celestial worthy called Saint Marcial, and whose prowess and exploits against ants seem to have beaten Saint George and the dragon quite to smithereens, has masses, [etc.].
1883. Black, Shandon Bells, III. xi. 263. He’d have knocked the whole town to smithereens.
