smack definition

A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade.

Origin: D. Smak; akin to LG. Smack, smak, Dan. Smakke, G. Schmacke, F. Semaque.

1. Taste or flavour, especially. A slight taste or flavour; savor; tincture; as, a smack of bitter in the medicine. Also used figuratively. "So quickly they have taken a smack in covetousness." (Robynson (More's Utopia)) "They felt the smack of this world." (Latimer)

2. A small quantity; a taste.

3. A loud kiss; a buss. "A clamorous smack."

4. A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.

5. A quick, smart blow; a slap.

Origin: OE. Smak, AS. Ssmc taste, savor; akin to D. Smaak, G. Geschmack, OHG. Smac; cf. Lith. Smagus pleasant. Cf. Smack.

(01 Mar 1998)