[The name of a locality in London (orig. Smethefield, f. smethe smooth), long celebrated as a market for cattle and horses, and now the central meat-market.]
1. A cattle- or meat-market. rare.
1647. R. Stapylton, Juvenal, 154. Hercules, to whom the Romans dedicated two temples, one of them in the Roman Smithfield or Forum Boarium.
1900. N. & Q., Ser. IX. VI. 389/2. In a Welsh paper I have just read that a certain lady … has offered to provide ‘a free library and a Smith field’ for the town of Newton.
† 2. Smithfield bargain, a sharp or roguish bargain, one ‘whereby the purchaser is taken in’ (Grose); also transf., a marriage of interest, in which money is the chief consideration. Obs.
1662. J. Wilson, Cheats, V. v. Is not this better, than a Smithfield bargain?
1710. Brit. Apollo, III. No. 77. 3/2. Sure Apollo, will not encourage Smith-field Bargains.
1753. Richardson, Grandison, VI. x. 40. The hearts of us women … are pleaded with, to rise against the notions of bargain and sale. Smithfield bargains, you Londoners call them.
1775. Sheridan, Rivals, V. i. To find myself made a mere Smithfield bargain of at last!
† b. So Smithfield match. Obs.–1
1742. Fielding, J. Andrews, II. vi. He resolved never to marry his daughter on a Smithfield match; that whoever had love for her to take her, would, when he died, find her share of his fortune in his coffers.
