Smuts, Jan Christian Smuts
(noun) South African statesman and soldier (1870-1950)
Source: WordNet® 3.1
smuts
plural of smut
• musts, stums
Source: Wiktionary
Smut, n. Etym: [Akin to Sw. smuts, Dan. smuds, MHG. smuz, G. schmutz, D. smet a spot or stain, smoddig, smodsig, smodderig, dirty, smodderen to smut; and probably to E. smite. See Smite, v. t., and cf. Smitt, Smutch.]
1. Foul matter, like soot or coal dust; also, a spot or soil made by such matter.
2. (Mining)
Definition: Bad, soft coal, containing much earthy matter, found in the immediate locality of faults.
3. (Bot.)
Definition: An affection of cereal grains producing a swelling which is at length resolved into a powdery sooty mass. It is caused by parasitic fungi of the genus Ustilago. Ustilago segetum, or U. Carbo, is the commonest kind; that of Indian corn is Ustilago maydis.
4. Obscene language; ribaldry; obscenity. He does not stand upon decency . . . but will talk smut, though a priest and his mother be in the room. Addison. Smut mill, a machine for cleansing grain from smut.
Smut, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smutted; p. pr. & vb. n. Smutting.]
1. To stain or mark with smut; to blacken with coal, soot, or other dirty substance.
2. To taint with mildew, as grain. Bacon.
3. To blacken; to sully or taint; to tarnish.
4. To clear of smut; as, to smut grain for the mill.
Smut, v. i.
1. To gather smut; to be converted into smut; to become smutted. Mortimer.
2. To give off smut; to crock.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
17 April 2025
(noun) a porous mass of interlacing fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals and usable to absorb water or any porous rubber or cellulose product similarly used
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
