Middle English Dictionary Entry
smit n.
Entry Info
| Forms | smit n. Also smite, smith. |
| Etymology | OE smitte |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A plague; (b) moral stain, defilement; a temptation; ?an enticement, a carnal delight [last quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2990 : Gnattes hird ðor ðicke up-wond, Smale to sen and sarp on bite; In al egypte fleg ðis smite.
b
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)9462 : Þat sinne, allas, sua hard was itt þat nan of left widuten smitt.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)70 : Weþer not wan he forȝeuiþ þe vnworþy, he prouociþ al to þe smit of falling; liȝtnes of ȝeuing ȝeuiþ kyndling of trespassing.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)116a : A Smytt [Monson: Smyth]: Oblectamentum.