Middle English Dictionary Entry
smacchen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | smacchen v. Also smacche, smachen, smatche(n, smaiche, (early SWM or SW) smec(c)hen; p. smauhte, smacched, (early SWM or SW) smahte, smachte, smeihte & (errors) smache, smachetyd; pl. smauȝte(n; ppl. smaught. |
| Etymology | OE smæccan, (Merc.) *smeccan; for forms in -e- cp. gesmecgan. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ismecchen v., smaken v.
1.
(a) To taste (sth.), sense (sth.) by tasting; also fig.; (b) to have flavor, taste.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1225 Ancr.(Cleo C.6)73/3 : Nurð hire ne [read: Nurð ne] kimeð in heorte buten of sum þing þet me sið, & hereð, & smecheð, & smelleð, oðer utewið ifeleð.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)57/28 : Teke þet he smahte [Nero: smeihte; Cleo: smachte] galle on his tunge forte learen ancre þet ha ne grucchi neauer mare for na mete, ne for na drunch.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3122 : Beryn..wisely hym governyd, as Geffrey hym tauȝte, ffor parcell of his wisdom to-fore he had smaught.
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Roy 17.A.27)81/709 : Mi swete luue, swa swoteliche he smecheð [Tit: smeccheð] me ant smealleð þet al me þuncheð sauure ant soft þet he sent me.
- a1325 Add.46919 Cook.Recipes (Add 46919)48.28/2 : Milke of alemauns..poudre of gyngere so þat hit smacche wel of þe gynger.
2.
(a) In phrase: ~ of, to smell or inhale (smoke); -- used fig.; (b) to give off an odor; also, give off a fragrance [1st quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)7 : Þay shal smaicche of þe smoke and smerte þereafter Whenne collectours comen to caicche what þay habben.
b
- a1325(?c1300) NPass.(Cmb Gg.1.1)117 : Þat oyngment was swithe swete..hit smache [NHom.(3) Pass.: went o-bout] ful wide Alle aboute on euche side.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.363 : Glotoun..coughed vp a caudel..Is non so hungri hounde in Hertford schire Durst lape of þe leuynges, so vnlouely þei smauȝte [vrr. þei smauȝten; it smachetyd; hit smacchid; C: hit smauhte].
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)955 : Þe rayn rueled adoun..Of felle flaunkes of fyr..Al in smolderande smoke smachande ful ille, Swe aboute Sodamas.
3.
To be tainted with (sin, blasphemy, etc.); ~ of, be tainted with (heresy, simony, etc.), reek of.
Associated quotations
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.28 : Oþir newe sectis founden bi mannis witt mut nedis smatche synne for errour of þe fynder.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.226 : Al þes newe sectis..siþ þei ben not groundid in þis lawe, smatchen sumwhat of heresie.
- c1450 Upland R.(Dgb 41)102/150 : Alle þat is not groundid [in God's law] smacchiþ grete synne.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)393 : Þe clerkis han many grete & smale perquisitiuys, þe whiche smachen of symony and extorcion.
- c1425(a1400) Wycl.Pseudo-F.(Dub 245)318 : Þise wordis smacchen ofte falshede & blasfemye aȝen god.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)447 : Þes foure ordris smacchen synne, siþen þei tellen not first cristis ordenaunse.
- a1500(a1400) Wycl.FHC (NC 95)350 : Hope of erþely þinge is not vertu of hope, but comunely it smacchiþ synne, for it lettiþ hope of heuen.