Latterly north. dial. and Sc. Also 4–5 smyt. Pa. t. 1 smittode, 5 smytted, Sc. smyt(t)it, 7– smitted. Pa. pple. 1 smittud, 4 smetted, smyttid, 5 -ed, 5– smitted; Sc. 5 smyttit, smitit, 5–6 smittit; 3 i-smitte, 9 smit, smitten. [OE. smittian (f. the weak grade of smítan SMITE v.), = MDu. and MLG. smitten (hence MDa. and Da. smitte, MSw., Sw. and Norw. smitta), OHG. (pi)smizzan (MHG. smitzen, G. schmitzen). Cf. also MDu., Du. and LG. smetten, Fris. smette.]
1. trans. To stain or mark in some way; to color or tinge; to smut. Also in fig. context.
a. 1000. Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, 244. Funestauere, maculauere, smittodan.
c. 1205. Lay. 17701. Iblæcched he hæfede his licame, swulc ismitte of cole.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, ii. (Paul), 272. Of his hals firste milk out ran, þe knychtis clathis þat smyttit þan.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. iii. (Tollem. MS.). The brayne haþ but litell of blood leste he were infecte and smetted [1495 smytted] with þe coloure þerof.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 28. Thai ar all smyttit with that ilke myrknes, of the quhilk the sternis was blekkit.
1876. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., 177/1. Smitted,… dotted all over; specked on the surface.
† b. To contaminate, taint or infect with sin, guilt, etc. Obs.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter cv. 36. Dropen es þe land in blodes swa; And smitted in werkes of þa.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., I. 198. He was not smyttid wip pryde ne wiþ coveityse.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., III. iii. 616. Bot Mempris Smyttit wes with [v.r. of] mony vice.
a. 1500. in Ratis Raving, etc. (1870), 3. The trespas that Adam and Eue commytyt,… quhar-throw al mankynde was smitit.
1562. A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.) i. 157. Giff thow persave sum senȝeour it hes smittit, Solist þame softlie nocht to perseveir.
absol. a. 1500. in Ratis Raving, etc. (1870), 92. For lesing is sa foul a smyt,… It smytis sa sare it partis neuer.
c. To tarnish or sully; to bring into disgrace or discredit.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Troylus, V. 1545. As regnes shal ben flitted Fro folk to folk, or whan they shal ben smitted.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. v. 854 (Cott.). His litil leaute neuirþeles He smyttit þar in his processe.
1786. Burns, Farewell to J. Kennedy, 3. If e’er Detraction shore to smit you, May nane believe him!
d. To mark (sheep) with smit or ruddle.
1828. Carr, Craven Gloss., Smit, to mark sheep.
1895. Ellwood, Lakeland & Icel., 56. Lambs are so smitted when first put upon the fell, and sheep at clipping time.
2. Of contagious diseases, etc.: To infect, affect by contagion. Also in fig. context. Freq. in pa. pple. with with.
a. 1100. in Napier, O. E. Gloss., 120/2. Caccabatus morbo, smittud mid adle.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxix. (Placidas), 521. Þane amesit sum thing his care, quhen his seknes smytit hym sare.
1427. Sc. Acts, Jas. I. (1814) II. 16/1. Item at þe bischoppis … inquire diligently in þare visitatiounis … gif ony be smyttit with lippir.
a. 1500. Ratis Raving, 1. 178. Thir thingis … Wyll smyt men that are hail & fere.
1585. R. Parsons, Chr. Exerc., Ep. Ded. 3. The readers of them that are before smitted with that kinde of infection.
1788. W. H. Marshall, Yorksh., II. 353. To Smit, to infect.
1829–. in dialect glossaries, etc. (see Eng. Dial. Dict.).
b. Of persons or animals: To convey or communicate a disease to (another); to infect.
1877–. in dialect glossaries, etc.
