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smartness

   Also found in: Medical, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.06 sec.
smart  (smärt)
adj. smart·er, smart·est
1.
a. Characterized by sharp quick thought; bright. See Synonyms at intelligent.
b. Amusingly clever; witty: a smart quip; a lively, smart conversation.
c. Impertinent; insolent: That's enough of your smart talk.
2. Energetic or quick in movement: a smart pace.
3. Canny and shrewd in dealings with others: a smart negotiator.
4. Fashionable; elegant: a smart suit; a smart restaurant; the smart set. See Synonyms at fashionable.
5.
a. Capable of making adjustments that resemble human decisions, especially in response to changing circumstances: smart missiles.
b. Manufactured to regulate the amount of light transmitted in response to varying light conditions or to an electronic sensor or control unit: smart windows.
6. New England & Southern U.S. Accomplished; talented: He's a right smart ball player.
intr.v. smart·ed, smart·ing, smarts
1.
a. To cause a sharp, usually superficial, stinging pain: The slap delivered to my face smarted.
b. To be the location of such a pain: The incision on my leg smarts.
c. To feel such a pain.
2. To suffer acutely, as from mental distress, wounded feelings, or remorse: "No creature smarts so little as a fool" (Alexander Pope).
3. To suffer or pay a heavy penalty.
n.
1. Sharp mental or physical pain. See Synonyms at pain.
2. smarts Slang Intelligence; expertise: a reporter with a lot of smarts.
Phrasal Verb:
smart off Informal
To speak or act impertinently.
Idiom:
right smart New England & Southern U.S.
A lot; a considerable amount: He did right smart of the work himself.

[Middle English, stinging, keen, alert, from Old English smeart, causing pain.]

smartly adv.
smartness n.
Regional Note: Smart is a word that has diverged considerably from its original meaning of "stinging, sharp," as in a smart blow. The standard meaning of "clever, intelligent," probably picks up on the original semantic element of vigor or quick movement. Smart has taken on other senses as a regionalism. In New England and in the South smart can mean "accomplished, talented." The phrase right smart can even be used as a noun meaning "a considerable number or amount": "We have read right smart of that book" (Catherine C. Hopley).
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.smartness - a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
hurting, pain - a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder; "the patient developed severe pain and distension"
2.smartness - intelligence as manifested in being quick and witty
intelligence - the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
3.smartnesssmartness - elegance by virtue of being fashionable
elegance - a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste; "she conveys an aura of elegance and gentility"
dapperness, jauntiness, nattiness, rakishness - stylishness as evidenced by a smart appearance
4.smartness - liveliness and eagerness; "he accepted with alacrity"; "the smartness of the pace soon exhausted him"
sprightliness, liveliness, spirit, life - animation and energy in action or expression; "it was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it"
Translations
smartness [ˈsmɑːtnɪs] nelegancia (= cleverness); inteligencia


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
His smartness of the morning had seemed to Tom a good joke be- fore, and very ingenious.
Do you understand, sir, do you understand what all that smartness means?
No average merchantman's anchors have ever been let go with such miraculous smartness.
 
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