smite

Everyday

1. (old use) To smite is to hit hard with a blow. tree →
2. (old use) To smite is to strike down or defeat an enemy. tree →

In the lessons

in fairy tales, a hero uses a sword to smite a troll or a wicked beast.

Examples

• Lay hold of the sword and smite the Troll dead. tree →
• The knight smote the dragon with his sword. tree →
• Shame on you for trying to smite my friend. tree →

Note

nothing for maths

In Jewish tradition

in fairy tales, a hero uses a sword to smite a troll or a wicked beast.

Examples

• 'Harass the Midianites, and smite them; (Torah NUM.25.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD will smite thee with madness, and with blindness, and with astonishment of heart. (Torah DEU.28.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs. (Torah EXO.8.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Three times did Joash smite him, and recovered the cities of Israel. (Prophets 2KI.13.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. (Writings PSA.121.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will beat to pieces his adversaries before him, and smite them that hate him. (Writings PSA.89.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

nothing for maths

Early Modern English

Meaning

To hit hard, or to strike down and destroy. tree →

Then and now

Old word; today we say hit or strike. The sentences use the old sense of hitting or striking down, sometimes killing.

Examples

• 'Harass the Midianites, and smite them; (Torah NUM.25.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then the King’s daughter said: ‘Shame on you thus to smite the beloved of my heart. (The Red Fairy Book) tree →
• Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour in secret. (Torah DEU.27.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: strike.