A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Smother, v. Also: smoother, -ur, smudder. [e.m.E. smoder (c1520), smother (1560), smouther (1579), smoother (1593), smudder (1601), f. smorðer, smother n., f. OE smorian Smor(e v. Cf. Smothering vbl. n. for the earliest instance of a verbal form.] a. To stifle (the breath). b. To suppress, prevent from developing, reduce in importance; also const. downe. Also const. up, to encompass, contain. c. To cover up, conceal; also const. up. d. To smother to or in, ? a further example of b or c.a. 1604-31 Craig i 41.
Here where the pest approacheth vs so narr, To smoother breath before wee be awareb. (1) 1658 R. Moray Lett. 5 March.
I was going to fall into a strain of kindness but I have smoothured it in the Oud 1688 Renwick Testimony Persecuted Presbyterian Ministers Preface.
The common dialect used … among the confessors of Christ is inverted and hath not only been smothered and imbezilled but, when sought for, represented as insignificant, impertinent non-sense, not worthie of their cognizance(2) 1632 Lithgow Trav. viii 371.
The … ingeniosity of their best styles … is ecclipsed and smothered downe(3) 1602 Colville Paraenese 39.
Be you so mad as to beleif the stone of the church cutted out of the montane vythout handes and maid a gret montane to be smudderit vp in your caues and corners?c. (1) a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1680.
[He] advysed [his third son] to be ane phisitian becaus the earth did smother al ther faultis 1636 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 148.
Why should I smother Christ's honesty? I dare not conceal His goodness 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 162.(2) 1609 Crim. Trials II 595.
Yett manie offences of greater importance … were smothered up with sillenced. 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 27.
His … embazlements of a great pairt of evrie pacquett … so that the noblemen … knew not wher to ask for ther letters, which wer smothered to and again in bypacquets outwith the publict sealled pacquett
