Besmeared Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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besmeared
[bɪsˈmɪrd ]
Definition
applied messily
To besmear means to smear or apply a substance in such a way that it creates a mess or an unclean appearance. This term is often used to describe the act of making something dirty or stained with various materials. The word can imply an act of unwelcome defilement, sometimes evoking a sense of carelessness. It captures a messy application that is not just haphazard but intrusive in its nature.
Synonyms
dirty, smear, stain, sully, taint.
Examples of usage
- She besmeared her face with mud while playing outside.
- The artist unintentionally besmeared paint across the canvas.
- He was careful not to besmear his clothes while cooking.
- The child had besmeared chocolate all over his hands after the treat.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Language Usage
- 'Besmeared' can describe physical messiness, such as paint on a canvas, or metaphorical messiness, like a reputation stained by rumors.
- In literature, being 'besmeared' often symbolizes a fall from grace or the burden of guilt.
Cultural Context
- In art, many painters intentionally create a 'besmeared' look to give their work a unique texture and depth.
- Festivals around the globe often involve participants getting 'besmeared' with colors as part of cultural rituals, like Holi in India.
Psychological Perspective
- Being 'besmeared' can evoke feelings of embarrassment or shame, particularly in social situations where appearance matters.
- Studies suggest that feelings of being dirty or messy can trigger compulsive behaviors, reflecting deeper psychological states.
Science
- In microbiology, being 'besmeared' can refer to the spreading of bacteria on petri dishes for laboratory testing.
- Researchers may purposefully 'besmear' substances to observe reactions, crucial in fields like chemistry and biology.
Origin of 'besmeared'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the prefix 'be-' meaning 'to cause to be' and 'smeared,' which relates to smudging or spreading.
- The term has been in use in the English language since the late 15th century, originally meaning to spread in a dirty manner.
The word 'besmeared' is derived from the prefix 'be-' which signifies the act of thoroughly affecting something, combined with 'smear', which has roots in Old English 'smyran', meaning to smear or spread. The use of the prefix establishes an intensified or complete action relative to the root. 'Smear' has long been linked with the idea of applying substances to surfaces in an unrefined manner, leading 'besmeared' to take on a connotation of over-application or messiness. 'Besmeared' has been adopted in both literal and metaphorical contexts, allowing for expressive language in describing not only mundane actions but also conveying deeper thematic meanings in literature and conversation, often depicting a state of uncleanliness or corruption.