Smite: meaning, definitions and examples
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smite
[ smaɪt ]
to hit violently
To smite means to strike someone or something with great force. It is often used in a historical or biblical context, where it describes a powerful blow, either physical or metaphorical. The term can also convey the idea of punishment or divine retribution. In literature, smiting is frequently associated with heroic deeds or acts of vengeance.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He smote the enemy with his sword.
- The storm smote the village with fury.
- In the tale, the hero smites the dragon.
- She swore to smite those who wronged her.
to afflict
In another use, to smite can refer to afflicting someone with punishment, suffering, or disease. This usage is often found in religious texts or speeches. It conveys a sense of moral or divine justice where the act of smiting is a consequence of wrongdoing. The term emphasizes the seriousness and weight of the affliction.
Synonyms
afflict, punish, scourge, torment.
Examples of usage
- The plague smote the land.
- Misinformation can smite the trust in institutions.
- He believed that the gods would smite the wicked.
- Their actions smote the community with sorrow.
Translations
Translations of the word "smite" in other languages:
🇵🇹 golpear
- ferir
- castigar
🇮🇳 मारना
- दंडित करना
- नष्ट करना
🇩🇪 schlagen
- treffen
- bestrafen
🇮🇩 memukul
- menghukum
- menghancurkan
🇺🇦 вдарити
- покарати
- знищити
🇵🇱 uderzyć
- ukarać
- zniszczyć
🇯🇵 打つ
- 殴る
- 懲らしめる
🇫🇷 frapper
- frapper
- châtier
🇪🇸 golpear
- castigar
- destruir
🇹🇷 vurmak
- cezalandırmak
- yok etmek
🇰🇷 때리다
- 처벌하다
- 파괴하다
🇸🇦 يضرب
- يعاقب
- يدمر
🇨🇿 zasáhnout
- potrestat
- zničit
🇸🇰 udrieť
- potrestať
- zničiť
🇨🇳 打击
- 惩罚
- 毁灭
🇸🇮 udarti
- kaznovati
- uničiti
🇮🇸 slá
- refsa
- eyðileggja
🇰🇿 соғу
- жазалау
- жою
🇬🇪 დარტყმა
- დასჯა
- განადგურება
🇦🇿 döymək
- cəzalandırmaq
- məhv etmək
🇲🇽 golpear
- castigar
- destruir
Etymology
The word 'smite' originates from Middle English 'smiten,' which is derived from the Old English 'smitan,' meaning 'to strike' or 'to send forth.' This Old English term is related to the Proto-Germanic '*smitanan' and can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root '*smei-', which also conveys the action of striking or hitting. 'Smite' has been used historically in various texts, including the Bible, where it often refers to divine punishment or judgment. Over time, it has evolved to encompass both physical strikes and metaphorical uses, such as affliction or impact in a broader context. The word has maintained its relevance in literary and poetic forms, often evoking strong imagery associated with power and justice.