Smilax 
ulated veins between the three or more prominent nerves. 
The petioles are persistent at the base, and are often fur- 
nished with two tendrils, by which some species climb 
ii'ii is the source of Italian sarsaparilla. Other species 
are used medicinally in India, Australia, Mauritius, and 
the Philippines. One of these, S. t/lucyplajlla, an ever- 
green shrubby climber of Australia, is there known as sweet 
lea, from the use of its leaves. The rootstocks of many 
species are large and tuberiferous ; those of f>. I'seudu- 
China are used in the southern United States to fatten 
hogs and as the source of a domestic beer ; those of A. 
dSna yield a dye. The stems of some pliant species, 
as S Pseudo-China, are used in basket-making, and the 
young shoots of a Persian species are there used as aspara- 
gus. S. Pseudo-China and S. lona-nox are known as 
biUlbrier, and several others with prickly stems as cat- 
brier and greenbrier. See also carrion- fawer. 
2. (7. e.] (a) A plant of the genus Surtax, (b) 
A delicate greenhouse vine from the Cape of 
Good Hope, best known as Myrsiphyllum aspa- 
raf/oides, now classed under Asparagus. Its appa- 
rent leaves (really expanded branches) are bright-green on 
both sides, with the aspect of those of Smilax, but finer. 
The plant grows to a length of several feet, festooning 
beautifully. It is much used in decoration, and forms the 
leading green constituent in bouquets. It is sometimes 
called Boston smilaz. 
3. In entom., a genus of coleopterous insects. 
Laporte, 1835. 
smile (smil), v. ; pret. and pp. smiled, ppr. smil- 
ing. [< ME. smilen, smylen, < Sw. smila, smile, 
smirk, simper, fawn, = Dan. smile = MHG. 
smielen, smicren, G. dial, sclimicrcn, schniielen, 
smile; cf. L. rnirari (for *smirarit), wonder at 
(mints, wonderful) (see miracle, admire) ; Gr. 
fieiiiav (for 'apcidiavl), smile, //rioof, a smile; 
Skt. -\/8mi, smile. Cf. smirk. The MD. smui/- 
len, swollen = MHG. smolkn, G. dial, schmollen, 
smile, appar. belong to a diff. root.] I. intrans. 
1. To show a change of the features such as 
characterizes the beginning of a laugh; give 
such an expression to the face: generally as 
indicative of pleasure or of slight amusement, 
but sometimes of depreciation, contempt, pity, 
or hypocritical complaisance. 
Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort 
As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit, 
That could be moved to smile at anything. 
Sliak., J. C., 1. 2. 205. 
All this while the guide, Mr. Great-heart, was very 
much pleased, and smiled upon his companions. 
Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, ii. 
Smile na sae sweet, my bonnie babe, . . . 
And ye smile sae sweet, ye'll smile me dead. 
Fine Flowers in the Valley (Child's Ballads, II. 265). 
'Twas what I said to Craggs and Child, 
Who prais'd my modesty, and smiled. 
Pope, Imit. of Horace, I. vii. 68. 
From yon blue heavens above us bent 
The gardener Adam and his wife 
Smile at the claims of long descent. 
Tennyson, Lady Clara Vere de Vere. 
2. To look gay or joyous, or have an appear- 
ance such as tends to excite joy ; appear propi- 
tious or favorable : as, the smiling spring. 
Then, let me not let pass 
Occasion which now smiles. Milton, P. L., ix. 480. 
The desert smiled, 
And Paradise was open'd in the wild. 
Pope, Eloisa to Abelard, 1. 133. 
What I desire of you is, that you, who are courted by 
all, would smile upon me, who am shunned by all. 
Steele, Spectator, No. 456. 
3. To drink in company. [Slang, U. S.] 
There are many more fast boys about some devoted 
to "the sex," some to horses, some to smiling, and some to 
" the tiger." Baltimore Sun, Aug. 23, 1858. (Barttett.) 
4. To ferment, as beer, etc. Halliujell. [Prov. 
Eng.] 
II. trans. 1 . To express by a smile : as, to 
smile a welcome; to smile content. 2. To 
change or affect (in a specified way) by smil- 
ing: with a modifying word or clause added. 
He does omiiehis face into more lines than is in the new 
map. Shale., T. N., iii. 2. 84. 
What author shall we find . . . 
The courtly Roman's smiling path to tread, 
And sharply smile prevailing folly dead. 
Young, Lore of Fame, i. 46. 
3f. To smile at; receive with a smile. [Rare.] 
Smile you my speeches, as I were a fool? 
Shak., Lear, ii. 2. 88. 
smile (smil), >i. [< ME. smil = Sw. smil = Dan. 
smil = MHG. smicl; from the verb.] 1. An 
expression of the face like that with which a 
laugh begins, indicating naturally pleasure, 
moderate joy, approbation, amusement, or kind- 
liness, but also sometimes amused or supercili- 
ous contempt, pity, disdain, hypocritical com- 
plaisance, or the like. Compare smirk, simper, 
and grin. 
57 Hi 
Loose now and then 
A scatter'd surile, and that I'll live upon. 
Shak., As you Like it, in. 5. 103. 
The treach'rous smile, a mask for secret hate. 
i 'ini'ifr, Expostulation, 1. 4-J. 
Though little Conlon instructed me in a anile, it was a 
cursed forced one, that looked like the grin of a person in 
extreme asioiiy. 
Thackeray, Fitz-Boodle's Confessions, Dorothea. 
A smile . . . maybe said to be the first stage in the de- 
velopment of a laugh. 
Darwin, Express, of Emotions, p. 210. 
Silent smiles of slow disparagement. 
Teiui ijfun, ( iuiuevere. 
2. Gay or joyous appearance; an appearance gujjjjji 
that would naturally be productive of joy : as, 
the smiles of spring. 
Life of the earth, ornament of the heauens, beautie and 
smile of the world. Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 9. 
Every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light 
the universe with their admonishing smile. 
Emerson, Nature. 
smitch 
I'll . willl a kind of umliermiiir/i my face. 
Mule., As you Like it, i. 3. 114. 
Hercules' . . . dog had seized on one |of these shell- 
fish] thrown up by the sea, and smerched his lips with the 
tincture. Sandys, Travailes, p. 168. 
2. Figuratively, to degrade; reduce in honor, 
dignity, fame, repute, or the like: as, to smin-li 
one's own or another's reputation. 
smirch (smerch), . [< suiirHi, r.] A soiling 
mark or smear ; a darkening stain ; a smutch. 
My love must come on silken wings, . . . 
Not foul with kitchen smirch, 
With tallow dip for torch. 
Whittier, Maids of Attitash. 
3. Favor; countenance; propitiousness: as, the 
smiles of Providence. 4. A drink, as of spirit, 
taken in company and when one person treats 
another; also, the giving of the treat: as, it is 
my smile. See smile, v. i., 3. [Slang, TJ. S.] 
Sardonic smile. Same as canine laugh (which see, un- 
der canine). 
smileful (smll'ful), a. [< smile + -ful.] Full 
of smiles; smiling. [Bare.] 
smileless (smil'les), a. [< smile + -less.'] Not 
having a smile ; cheerless. 
Preparing themselves for that smileless eternity to which 
they look forward. 0. W. Holmes, Autocrat, iv. 
smiler (smi'ler), . [< ME. smiler, smyler, smi- 
lere (= Sw. smiler, smilare) ; < smile, v., + -er 1 .] 
One who smiles; one who looks smilingly, as 
from pleasure, derision, or real or affected com- 
plaisance. 
The smyler, with the knyf under his cloke. 
Chaucer, Knight's Tale, 1. 1141. 
Men would smile . . . and say, " A poor Jew ! " and the 
chief smilers would be of my own people. 
George Eliot, Daniel Deronda, xl. 
srailet (smi'let), n. [< smile + -et.~\ A little 
smile; a half-smile; a look of pleasure. [Rare.] 
Those happy srnUeti 
That play'd on her ripe lip. 
Shak., Lear, iv. 8. 21. 
smilingly (smi'ling-li), adv. In a smiling man- 
ner; with a smile or look of pleasure. 
Comparing him to that unhappy guest 
Whose deed hath made herself herself detest ; 
At last she smilingly with this gives o'er. 
Skak., Lucrece, 1. 1567. 
smiling-muscle (smi'ling-mus"l), n. Same as 
laughing-muscle. See risorius. 
smiiingness (smi'ling-nes), n. The state of 
being smiling. 
The very knowledge that he lived in vain, 
That all was over on this side the tomb, 
Had made Despair a smiiingness assume. 
Byron, Childe Harold, iii. 16. 
siuiltt, '. An obsolete form of smelfi. 
Smintnuridae (smin-thu'ri-de), n.pl. [NL. 
(Lubbock, 1873, as Smynthuridie), < Sminthu- 
rus + -idx.~\ A family of collembolous insects, 
typified by the genus Smintluirus, having a 
globular body, four-jointed antenna? with a 
long terminal joint, 
saltatory appen- 
dage composed of a 
basal part and two 
arms, and trachea; 
well developed. 
They are found com- 
monly among grass and 
fungi ; many species 
have been described. 
Also Smynthuridx and 
Sminthurides. 
Sminthurus (smin- 
thu'rus), . [NL. 
(Latreille, 1802), < 
Gr. a/iiv6of, mouse, 
+ olpa, tail.] The 
typical genus of 
the family Smitithuridse. About 20 species are 
recognized by Lubbock. Also Smyntlmrus. 
sminuendo (sme-no-en'do). [It., ppr. of smi- 
iiuire, diminish, < L. ex, out, + minuere, dimin- 
ish: see minuend.] In music, same as diminu- 
endo. 
smirch (smerch), c. t. [Formerly also smiircli. 
smerch ; assibilated form of "smerk (with for- 
mative -J-, as in smirk), < ME. smeren, smurien, 
smear: see smear. Cf. besmirch.] 1. To stain; 
smear; soil; smutch; besmirch. 
Stninthurns rostus. 
(Cross shows natural size.) 
k 1 (smerk), )>. i. [Formerly also siurrk; < 
ME. Hiiiirken, < AS. smercian, smirk; with for- 
mative -c (-A-), from the simple form seen in 
MHG. smieren, same as smielen, siuile: see 
smile.'] To smile affectedly or wantonly; look 
affectedly soft or kind. 
The hostess, smiling and smirking as each new guest 
was presented, was the centre of attraction to a host of 
young dandies. T. Honk, Gilbert Ourney. (Latham.) 
The trivial and smirking artificialities of social inter- 
course. Harper's May., LXXVII.960. 
= Syn. Simper, Smirk. See simper?. 
smirk 1 (smerk), . [< xmirk 1 , v.] An affected 
smile ; a soft look. 
A constant smirk upon the face. Chesterfield. 
smirk 2 (smerk), a. [Also smerk; prob. a var. 
(simulating smirk 1 J) of smert, older form of 
smart : see smart.] Smart; spruce. [Obsolete 
or prov. Eng.] 
Seest howe brag yond Bullocke beares, 
So imirke, so smoothe, his pricked eares? 
Spenser, Shep. CaL, February. 
smirklingt(smerk'ling),a. [<*mirfcl.] Smirk- 
ing. 
He gave a smirkling smile. 
Lord Dencenticater(CUltl's Ballads, VII. 165), 
smirklyt (smerk'li), adv. [< smirki + -ly 2 .] 
With a smirk. [Rare.] 
Venus was glad to hear 
Such proffer made, which she well shewed with smiling 
chear, . . . 
And smirkly thus gan say. Sir P. Sidney, Arcadia. 
smirky (smer'ki), a. [Also smerkij ; < smirk 1 
+ -i/ 1 .] Same as smirk". [Provincial.] 
I overtook a swarthy, bright-eyed, nnerky little fellow, 
riding a small pony, and bearing on his shoulder a long, 
heavy rifle. A. B. Lonystreet, Georgia Scenes, p. 197. 
smit 1 (smit). v. t. ; pret. and pp. smittect, ppr. 
smitting. [< ME. smitten, < AS. smittian, spot, 
= MD. D. smettcn = MLG. smitten = OHG. smiz- 
jan, smizzan, MHG. smitzen, infect, contami- 
nate, = Sw. smitta = Dan. smitte, infect (cf. Sw. 
smitta, Dan. smitte, contagion); intensive of 
AS. smitan, smite, = OHG. smizan, MHG. smi- 
:en, strike, stroke, smear ; cf. AS. besmitan, be- 
smear, defile, = Goth, bi-smeitan, smear: see 
smite. Hence freq. smittle.] 1. To infect. 
[Prov. Eng. and Scotch.] 2. To mar; de- 
stroy. Halliwell. [Prov. Eng.] 
smit 1 (smit), n. [Alsosmitt; < ME. "smitte, < 
AS. smitta, a spot, stain, smut, = D. smet, a 
spot, = OHG. MHG. sniiz, a spot, etc. : see sniiti, 
i'., and cf. smut, smutch, smudge^-.] 1. A spot ; 
a stain. 2. The finest of clayey ore, made up 
into balls used for marking sheep. 3. Infec- 
tion. [Prov. Eng. and Scotch.] 
He provocith al to the emit of falling. 
Apology for the Lollards, p. 70. (Halliwett.) 
4f. The smut in corn. 
The smit, blasting, or burned blacknes of the eares of 
corne. Nomenclator, 1585. (Hares.) 
smit 2 t (smit), n. [< ME. smi/tt, smite, smeti' (with 
short vowel) (= MD. smcte), a blow; < smite, v. 
Cf. smite, n.; and cf. also bit, n., and bite, n., < 
bite, v.] 1. A blow; a cut. 
Tryamowre on the hedd he hytt, 
He had gevyn hym an evylle smytt. 
MS. Cantab. Ft. ii. 88, f. 61. (Halliicell.) 
2. A clashing noise. 
She heard a smit o' bridle reins, 
She wish'd might be for good. 
Lord William (Child's Ballads, III. 18). 
smit 3 t, v. An obsolete dialectal form of smite. 
smit 1 (smit). A past participle of smite. 
smit 5 (smit), c. A contracted form of smiteth, 
third person singular present indicative of 
smite. 
smitch 1 (smich), n. [Appar. an extension of 
smifl, a spot, smite, a bit. Cf. also smutch, 
and see smiilijiit.] 1. Dust; smoke; dirt. 
Halliwell. [Prov. Eng.] 2. A particle; a 
bit: as, I had not a smitch of silk left. TCol- 
loq.] 
