Middle English Dictionary Entry
smateren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | smateren v. Also smater(e, smatre, smatter, smattren. |
| Etymology | Cp. bismotered ppl., smoterlī adj., smotrī adj., smotten v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To make (sb.) dirty; also, fig. defile (oneself); ppl. smatered, begrimed, made sooty; (b) to chatter, talk idly; speak foolishly (about sth.); (c) ppl. smateringe as adj.: ?wanton; ?attractive [cp. EMnE smotter adj.].
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.857 : Thise olde dotardes holours, yet wol they kisse thogh they may nat do, and smatre [vrr. smater, smatere] hem.
- c1450 Swarte smekyd (Arun 292)1 : Swarte smekyd smeþes smateryd wyth smoke Dryue me to deth wyth den of here dyntes.
b
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)3167 : Where-offen with sorwe smateryth he of ony thing that to vs longeth forto be?
- a1500 In euery place (BodPoet e.1)p.89 : Trow ye that they lyst to smatter, Ore ageynst ther husbondes to clatter?
c
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)611 : I wyll hast me to þe ale-house..A[nd] geett me a lemman wyth a smattrynge face.