Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Same as smatch.
  • noun Dust; smoke; dirt.
  • noun A particle; a bit: as, I had not a smitch of silk left.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Another church (Newport Pagnell, Bucks) in an adjoining county -- probably some years previous to this date -- was lighted by tallow candles stuck in tin sconces on the walls, and twice during the service the clerk went round with a pair of long-handled snuffers to "smitch," as he called it, the wicks of these evil-smelling lights.

    The Parish Clerk 1892

  • Not a smitch of white rags left on the trees, either.

    Old Rail Fence Corners The A. B. C's. of Minnesota History Various

  • Uncle Jeptha couldn't fuss with chickens, and he didn't raise only a smitch of 'em last year and the year before -- just them that the hens hatched themselves in stolen nests, and chanced to bring up alive.

    Hiram the Young Farmer Burbank L. Todd

  • "Not a smitch of work since I come out of the woods," admitted the bewhiskered man, rising quickly from the stoop to make way for Janice.

    How Janice Day Won Helen Beecher Long

  • "Wait till every smitch of it's burned up an 'then come back."

    The Wall Between Sara Ware Bassett 1920

  • For it was the first thing she had ever done all herself ... every bit ... every smitch!

    Understood Betsy 1917

  • For it was the first thing she had ever done all herself ... every bit ... every smitch!

    Understood Betsy Dorothy Canfield Fisher 1918

  • Well, he looked as carefully as he could, but my land sakes and a pair of white gloves! he couldn't seem to find a smitch of gold and not so much as

    Uncle Wiggily's Travels Howard Roger Garis 1917

  • There was a pink flowering bush behind it and a smitch of green where it ran over into the sand ... and the rest was sage-brush, little and low; and crumply, colored hills.

    Agua Dulce 1909

  • "But Ah hez t 'have a smitch of somethin' like-ez-how Miss Bob hez fer her shoulders, cuz my neck's gettin 'scrawny now."

    Polly of Pebbly Pit Lillian Elizabeth Roy 1900

Comments

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  • a term of contempt or anger applied to an impudent boy.

    April 28, 2009