smooth

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English smothe, from Old English smōth; akin to Old Saxon smōthi smooth Date: before 12th century 1. a. (1) having a continuous even surface (2) of a curve being the representation of a function with a continuous first derivative (3) having or being a short even coat of hair <

a smooth collie

> — compare rough, wirehaired b. being without hair c. glabrous <

a smooth leaf

> d. causing no resistance to sliding 2. free from difficulties or impediments <

the smooth course of his life

> 3. even and uninterrupted in flow or flight 4. excessively and often artfully suave ; ingratiating <

a smooth operator

> 5. a. serene, equable <

a smooth disposition

> b. amiable, courteous 6. a. not sharp or harsh <

a smooth sherry

> b. free from lumps Synonyms: see level, easy, suave • smooth adverb • smoothly adverb • smoothness noun II. verb (smoothed; smoothing; smooths; also smoothes) Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to make smooth 2. a. to free from what is harsh or disagreeable ; polish <

smoothed out his style

> b. soothe 3. to minimize (as a fault) especially in order to allay anger or ill will <

his main job is to smooth over the friction that so often arises — Brian Crozier

> 4. to free from obstruction or difficulty <

conciliation smoothed the way to an agreement

> 5. a. to press flat <

smoothed down the folds of her dress

> b. to remove expression from (one's face) ; compose 6. to cause to lie evenly and in order ; preen <

a bird smoothing its feathers

> 7. to free (as a graph or data) from irregularities intransitive verb to become smooth • smoother noun III. noun Date: 15th century 1. a smooth part 2. the act of smoothing 3. a smoothing implement