smart

smart [smärt]

vi.

[ME smerten < OE smeortan, akin to Ger schmerzen < IE * mer-d < base * mer-, to rub away, fret > L mordere, to bite, sting, Gr smerdnos, frightful]

1.

a) to cause sharp, stinging pain, as a slap

b) to be the source of such pain, as a wound

c) to feel such pain

2. to feel mental distress or irritation, as in resentment, remorse, etc.

vt.

to cause to smart

n.

[ME smerte < base of v.]

1. a smarting sensation, pain or distress

☆ 2. [pl.] Slang shrewdness, intelligence, or acumen

adj.

[ME smerte < OE smeart < base of v.]

1. causing sharp or stinging pain [a smart slap]

2. sharp or stinging, as pain

3. brisk; vigorous; lively [walking at a smart pace]

4.

a) intelligent, alert, clever, witty, etc.

b) shrewd or sharp, as in one's dealings

5. neat; trim; spruce

6.

a) in keeping with the current fashion; stylish

b) characteristic of or used by those who follow the current fashions

7. Informal impertinent, flippant, or saucy

8. Dial. quite strong, intense, numerous, etc.; considerable [a right smart rain]

9. Comput.

a) INTELLIGENT (sense 3a)

b) aimed, guided, and controlled precisely, through the use of computer technology [smart weapons]

c) programmed in advance with certain features, as navigation information or sensing and self-correcting functions [smart cars, smart guns]

adv.

in a smart way

SYN.- INTELLIGENT

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smart off

Slang to be impertinent or flippant

smartly

adv.

smartness

n.