“smooth” – English explanatory dictionary

adj 1. with no bumps, with no uneven surface ○ The smooth surface of a polished table. ○ The baby’s skin is very smooth. ○ Velvet has a smooth side and a rough side. Antonym rough 2. with no jolts or sudden movements ○ Dirt in the fuel tank can disrupt the smooth running of the engine. ○ We had a very smooth ride. 3. too polite and attentive, in a way that makes you distrust someone (NOTE: smoother – smoothest) ■ verb 1. to make something smooth with a tool or with your hand ○ The edge of the table needs smoothing, it’s still quite rough. ○ She smoothed the sheets and adjusted the pillows. □ to smooth the way for someone or something to make things easy for someone or something ○ The retiring president cut taxes to smooth the way for his successor. □ to smooth things over to settle an argument ○ After the quarrel, I called round at her house to try and smooth things over. 2. to spread something gently over a surface ○ Smooth the lotion over your face and let it dry.

(smooth), a. [Compar. Smoother (-er); superl. Smoothest.] [OE. smothe, smethe, AS. smeðe, smœðe, where e, œ, come from an older o; cf. LG. smöde, smöe, smödig; of uncertain origin.]
1. Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough; as smooth glass; smooth porcelain. Chaucer. “The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities.” Dryden.
2. Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as smooth hair.
3. Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as a smooth stream.
4. Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent. “The only smooth poet of those times.” Milton. “Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join
The varying verse, the full-resounding line.” Pope. “When sage Minerva rose,
From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows.” Gay.
5. Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering. “This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft
Conceal a traitor.” Addison.
6. (Mech. & Physics) Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless. Smooth is often used in the formation of selfexplaining compounds; as smooth-bodied, smooth- browed, smooth-combed, smooth-faced, smooth- finished, smooth-gliding, smooth-grained, smooth- leaved, smooth-sliding, smooth-speaking, smooth- woven, and the like. Syn. — Even; plain; level; flat; polished; glossy; sleek; soft; bland; mild; soothing; voluble; flattering; adulatory; deceptive.

adv. Smoothly. Chaucer. “Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.” Shak.

n. 1. The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths. Thackeray.
2. That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything. ´The smooth of his neck.´ Gen. xxvii. 16.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smoothed (smoothd); p. pr. & vb. n. Smoothing.] [OE. smothen, smethen, AS. smeðian; cf. LG. smöden. See Smooth, a.] To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means; as to smooth a board with a plane; to smooth cloth with an iron. Specifically: — (a) To free from obstruction; to make easy. “Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay,
And smooth my passage to the realms of day.” Pope. (b) To free from harshness; to make flowing. “In their motions harmony divine
So smooths her charming tones that God’s own ear
Listens delighted.” Milton. (c) To palliate; to gloze; as to smooth over a fault. (d) To give a smooth or calm appearance to. “Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm.” Milton. (e) To ease; to regulate. Dryden.