Smack

Pronunciation

• IPA: /smæk/
• Rhymes: -æk

From Middle English smac, smak, smacke, from Old English smæċ ("taste, smatch"), from Proto-Germanic *smakkuz ("a taste"), from Proto-Indo-European *smegʰ-, *smeg- ("to taste"). Cognate with English dialectal smatch, Scots smak ("scent, smell, taste, flavour"), Saterland Frisian Smoak ("taste"), West Frisian smaak ("taste"), Dutch smaak ("taste"), German Schmack, Geschmack ("taste"), Swedish smak ("taste"). Akin to Old English smæccan ("to taste, smack"). More at smake, smatch.

Full definition of smack

Noun

1. A distinct flavor.
2. A slight trace of something; a smattering.
• 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, He was not sailorly, and yet he had a smack of the sea about him too.
3. (slang) Heroin.

Derived terms

• foresmack

Verb

1. To indicate or suggest something.Her reckless behavior smacks of pride.
• ShakespeareAll sects, all ages, smack of this vice.
2. To have a particular taste.

Derived terms

• smack of

From Middle Low German smack (Low German Schmacke, Schmaake ("small ship")) or Dutch smak.

Noun

1. A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a Fishing smack.

From or akin to Dutch smakken ("to fling down"), Plautdietsch schmaksen ("to smack the lips"), regional German schmacken (compare Swedish smak ("slap"), Middle Low German smacken, the first part of Saterland Frisian smakmuulje ("smack")).

Noun

1. A sharp blow; a slap. See also: spank.
2. A loud kiss.
• Shakespearea clamorous smack
3. A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.

Verb

1. To slap someone, or to make a smacking sound.
• Benjamin DisraeliA horse neighed, and a whip smacked, there was a whistle, and the sound of a cart wheel.
2. To wetly separate the lips, making a noise, after tasting something or in expectation of a treat.
• 1763, Robert Lloyd, “A Familiar Epistle” in St. James Magazine:But when, obedient to the mode
  Of panegyric, courtly ode
  The bard bestrides, his annual hack,
  In vain I taste, and sip and smack,
  I find no flavour of the Sack.
3. To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate.

Adverb

1. As if with a smack or slapRight smack bang in the middle.

Derived terms

• smack-dab

Anagrams

• macks