Collins English-English Dictionary

smear [smɪə]

1. 1. vb [mainly tr] to bedaub or cover with oil, grease, etc

2. 2. vb to rub over or apply thickly

3. 3. vb to rub so as to produce a smudge

4. 4. vb to slander

5. 5. vb [US] [slang] to defeat completely

6. 6. vi. [intr] to be or become smeared or dirtied

7. 7. n a dirty mark or smudge

8. 8. n

9. 9. n a slanderous attack

10. 10. n (as modifier)

    smear tactics

11. 11. n a preparation of blood, secretions, etc, smeared onto a glass slide for examination under a microscope

12. 12. n [Etymology] Old English smeoru (n); related to Old Norse smjör fat, Old High German smero, Greek muron ointment