SMUTTING

SMUT

smut

(verb) affect with smut or mildew, as of a crop such as corn

smut

(verb) become affected with smut; “the corn smutted and could not be eaten”

smut

(verb) stain with a dirty substance, such as soot

smut

(verb) make obscene; “This line in the play smuts the entire act”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Verb

smutting

present participle of smut

Source: Wiktionary


SMUT

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



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Word of the Day

16 September 2024

DOMESTICATION

(noun) accommodation to domestic life; “her explorer husband resisted all her attempts at domestication”


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Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

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