Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A numerous collection of small individuals.
Etymologies
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Examples
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vendingmachine commented on the word smyterie
A numerous collection of small individuals.
Grammatically, this sentence makes no sense to me. Help?
April 1, 2023
ruzuzu commented on the word smyterie
That's interesting, vm. The OED has it spelled as "smytrie" (same definition) with an example quoted from "The Twa Dogs" by Robert Burns.
April 3, 2023
ruzuzu commented on the word smyterie
Ah. A different version of the Century has it both ways (with smyterie listed first), and tells us it's "more properly smitery," from smite or smyte, "a bit, particle," and to see smit and smitch. It has the same quotation from Burns.
(See here: https://archive.org/details/cu31924091890644/page/5722/mode/2up?view=theater)
April 3, 2023