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

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

Smit, Smyt, Smot, v. P.t. and p.p. smittit, -ed, smyttit, -yd, smitit, smytit, smottit. [ME and e.m.E. smitte(n (Layamon), smytte(n (a1300), smotte(n (Trevisa), smot(t (once, Caxton), smit(t (1585), OE smittian, MDu. and MLG smitten. Cf. MHG smotzen, smutzen.] tr.

1. To stain, besmirch, mark, blemish. Also fig. or in fig. context.(a) a1400 Leg. S. ii 272.
Of his hals firste milk out ran, The knychtis clathis that smyttit than(b) 1513 Doug. v vii 91.
Behald thame smottyt [Sm., Ruddim. smottit] quyte Of his red bludefig. 1456 Hay I 28/31.
Off the quhilk avarice … the mysty reik is passit fra … the pitt of hell … thai ar all smyttit with that ilke myrknes, of the quhilk the sternis was blekkit(b) a1568 Scott xxx 52.
Ladeis suld all thingis eschew That ma thair honor smot

2. Of sin or the sinner, etc.: To contaminate, pollute, corrupt. Also absol.Cf. Smite v. 9 with which there is some ambiguity.(a) a1400 Leg. S. iii 831.
For dowt that hym suld smyt the gilt Of hym, that sa gud a mane had spilt c1420 Wynt. iii 606.
Bot Memprys Smyttyd wes wytht mony wys; Hys brothyr he slwe [etc.] c1420 Wynt. ix 1514.
That natioune ye may na gat defame Bot gyff ye smyt your awyn wyth schame c1450 Cr. Deyng 68.
The trespas that Adam and Eue commytyt … quhar-throw al mankynd was smitit 1456 Hay II 29/23.
Grete lak is to … correct otheris in that that he is foular smyttit him self a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 229 (Asl.).
Covatus in his chene has ws knyt And schrewit ensampillis of synnaris can ws smyt a1561 Norvell Meroure 6a.
Because that sinne was first by thé committed: All thy hole raice with the same smot was smitted a1568 Scott i 157. a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 333/5.
Sa mony smittit with that cryme That few dar vther traist 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 27/146.
Abusers, staikes it not to lurk in lust Without ye smit [F. corrompiez] with charming nombers iust The fickle maners of the reader?(b) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7548.
Gif … In the same vice he is gyltie him sell … He smottis him self as he dois his nichtbour 1562-3 Winȝet I 13/18.
Geue we had kepit langer silence, we ferit … to be smotit with the cryme of lese maiestieabsol. c1460 Consail Vys Man 63.
Lesing is sa foul a smyt … It smytis sa sare [etc.]

3. Of a disease: To infect; to affect by contagion. Also in fig. context. Also proverb. a1400 Leg. S. xxix 521.
Thane amesit sum thing his care, Quhen his seknes smytit hym sare c1420 Ratis R. 178.
Thir thingis … Wyll smyt men that are hail & fere: The fewir agow, the sarnes of e [etc.] 1427 Acts II 16/1.
The bischoppis … inquire … gif ony be smyttit with lippir 1456 Hay I 46/8.
Cum furth of the erde a stynkand ayre with a foule reik that smyttit sa mony folk that grete multitude of peple deide tharethrou 1535 Stewart 54927.
Sic pestilence rang ouir all Scotland, Richt venemous, quhilk smyttit hes so smart, Of the pepill devorit the thrid part 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 109/1.
These siknessis of the boddie that smittis in the seid 1661 Dumfries Kirk S. 21 Feb.
Robert Andersone called the said Isobell ane gloengor [sic in transcr.] hoore … & that she had smitted her goodman with it 1671 Lett. John Livingston 18.
If some of you who are yet graceless would go and see their way, they might be smitted with that blessed diseasefig. 1562-3 Winȝet II 30/12.
Lest the contagious scab of ane scheip … mot smit the hail innocent flok of Christeproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 175.
A scabbit scheip fyles all the [v.r. will smit a haill] flock

4. To tarnish, sully. c1420 Wynt. viii 852.
He heycht thame, wyth lawte Thare cas to ger decleryt be, Hys lytill lawte nevyrtheles He smyttyd thare in his proces