Part 507

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.

Smooth, adv. Smoothly. Chaucer.

Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.

Shak.

Smooth, 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.

Smooth, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smoothed (smthd); p. pr. & vb. n. Smoothing.] [OE. smothen, smethen, AS. smðian; 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.

Smooth, v. i. To flatter; to use blandishment.

Because I can not flatter and speak fair, Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog.

Shak.

Smooth"bore` (?), a. (Gun.) Having a bore of perfectly smooth surface; -- distinguished from rifled. -- n. A smoothbore firearm.