Now dial. Forms: 1–2 smic, smyc, 3 smyche, 3, 9 smiche, 9– smitch. [OE. smíc, smýc, var. of sméc (see SMEECH sb. and SMEEK sb.), with development of form as in díc ditch.] Smoke arising from burning or smoldering matter; also dial., grime, dirt, dust, smut, etc.

1

c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., III. xi. 142. Swelce se bitresta smic upp astiʓe.

2

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gen. xix. 28. Abraham … ʓeseah, hu þa ysla up fluʓon mid þam smice.

3

a. 1100.  in Napier, O. E. Glosses, 108/1. Ut fumus euanescens,… swa swa ʓewitende smyc.

4

c. 1250.  Hymn, in Trin. Coll. Hom., App. 258. He vs bouchte … of bitter helle fur & of þe fule smiche.

5

c. 1275.  Sinners Beware, 95 in O. E. Misc. Heo schule … in helle smyche Acoryen hit ful wraþe.

6

1847.  Halliw., Smitch, dirt, but generally applied to smoke or dust. West.

7

1880.  W. Cornwall Gloss., 52/2. Smitch, the smell or smoke arising from anything burnt in frying.

8