Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Smert, Sma(i)rt, v. [ME and e.m.E. smert(en (c1175), smeart(en (c1200), smeorten (Ancr. R.), smart (c1430), OE smeortan. Cf. MDu. smerten, smarten, MLG smerten.]

1. quasi-tr. Of a wound, etc.: To affect (a person) with pain, to be a source of pain or suffering (to a person). c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 141.
The suete that smertis me so sore a1500 K. Hart 320.
Mony previe wound That dois oft sys him strang with stoundis smart

b. tr. To cause (a person) to suffer. a1568 Scott xxxiv 50.
Thay swoun to se ȝow smartit

2. intr. Of a person: To experience pain or distress, to suffer. b. To suffer punishment for a misdemeanour.(a) a1570-86 Maitl. F. 426/3.
Vp hart thow art the pairt Of man most souerane Lat seruell menbris smert(b) a1500 K. Hart 403.
I ȝeild me Schir and do me nocht to smart 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I 221.
Althought we murn and smart a1568 Scott xxiv 17.
I speik expart, suppois I smart a1585 Maitl. Q. 199/28.
Pigmalion that ane portratour … Him self thairwith in paramour Fell suddanlie and smert thairfor a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xx 41.
And death with deidly dairt Suld sey to caus me smart ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. III 239.
He bad them all come down to the Magdalen Chappel, that he might catechize them, and threatened they should smart 1700 Minnigaff Par. Rec. 42.
John Slowan came runing at his sister … and said if that in her belly were out of it she should smart(c) 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. xi 22.
Most haples heart! Newer cease with greif to smairtb. 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII 542.
Nouther did magistrate nor maister of the house quhair he ludgeit evir smert thairfoir(b) 1618 Annandale Corr. 278.
To preferr a bill of indictment against them … in my consate this is the best and readiest course and the thing whiche will make them smart the more for the attempts