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smudge

(smŭj)

v. smudged, smudg·ing, smudg·es

v.tr.

1. To make dirty, especially in one small area: My shirt was smudged with soot.

2. To smear or blur (something): smudged grease on my pants; smudged her makeup.

3. To fill (an orchard or an inhabited area) with dense smoke from a smudge pot in order to prevent damage from frost or to repel insects.

v.intr.

1. To smear something, such as dirt or soot.

2. To become smudged or blurred: Photo negatives smudge easily.

1. A blotch or smear.

2. A blurry or indistinct part or image: a smudge on the photocopy.

3. A smoky fire used to protect against frost or to repel insects.

[Middle English smogen.]

smudgi·ly adv.

smudgi·ness n.

smudgy adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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