v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Smoothed p. pr. & vb. n. Smoothing. ] [ OE. smothen, smethen, AS. smēðian; cf. LG. smöden. See Smooth, a. ] To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means; as, to smooth a board with a plane; to smooth cloth with an iron. Specifically: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

(a) To free from obstruction; to make easy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay,
And smooth my passage to the realms of day. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) To free from harshness; to make flowing. [ 1913 Webster ]

In their motions harmony divine
So smooths her charming tones that God's own ear
Listens delighted. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) To palliate; to gloze; as, to smooth over a fault. [ 1913 Webster ]

(d) To give a smooth or calm appearance to. [ 1913 Webster ]

Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

(e) To ease; to regulate. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To flatter; to use blandishment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Because I can not flatter and speak fair,
Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Smoother superl. Smoothest. ] [ OE. smothe, smethe, AS. smēðe, smœðe, where ē, œ, come from an older ō; cf. LG. smöde, smöe, smödig; of uncertain origin. ] 1. Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough; as, smooth glass; smooth porcelain. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent. [ 1913 Webster ]

The only smooth poet of those times. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join
The varying verse, the full-resounding line. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

When sage Minerva rose,
From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering. [ 1913 Webster ]

This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft
Conceal a traitor. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Mech. & Physics) Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Smooth is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, smooth-bodied, smooth-browed, smooth-combed, smooth-faced, smooth-finished, smooth-gliding, smooth-grained, smooth-leaved, smooth-sliding, smooth-speaking, smooth-woven, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Even; plain; level; flat; polished; glossy; sleek; soft; bland; mild; soothing; voluble; flattering; adulatory; deceptive. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Smoothly. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything. “The smooth of his neck.” Gen. xxvii. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Gun.) Having a bore of perfectly smooth surface; -- distinguished from rifled. -- n. A smoothbore firearm. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a smooth chin; beardless. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To make smooth. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, smooths. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. & n. fr. Smooth, v. [ 1913 Webster ]

Smoothing iron, an iron instrument with a polished face, for smoothing clothes; a sadiron; a flatiron. --
Smoothing plane, a short, finely set plane, for smoothing and finishing work. [ 1913 Webster ]