[f. as prec.]
1. That smooths or makes smooth; having the effect of smoothing.
1495. Trevisa’s Barth. De P. R., XIX. xlvii. (W. de W.), 890. Bytter thynges … bi grete drynesse … be made smothyng and softynge.
1650. Venner, Via Recta, 103. It induceth a smoothing delectation to the gullet.
1857. Dickens, Dorrit, II. vii. It made her anxious … to be operated upon by that smoothing hand.
† 2. Plausible, blandishing, flattering. Obs.
a. 1592. Greene, Jas. IV., I. i. Princes rather choose a smoothing tongue, Than men of art that can accept the time. Ibid. (1592), Groat’s W. Wit, Wks. (Grosart), XII. 114. He learnd likewise with smoothing words to faine.
1593. Shaks., Lucr., 892 (1594), G 2. Thy secret pleasure turnes to open shame,… Thy smoothing titles to a ragged name.
1675. Otway, Alcibiades, III. i. fine smoothing Terms to cloke a Passion in.
Hence Smoothingly adv.
1854. R. S. Surtees, Handley Cross (1898), I. 186. You seem an honest, intelligent sort of man, continued Mr. Bolster smoothingly.
1884. E. Fawcett, Rutherford, vi. One of his white hands fluttered smoothingly about his yellow beard.
