smut

n. [ Akin to Sw. smuts, Dan. smuds, MHG. smuz, G. schmutz, D. smet a spot or stain, smoddig, smodsig, smodderig, dirty, smodderen to smut; and probably to E. smite. See Smite, v. t., and cf. Smitt, Smutch. ] 1. Foul matter, like soot or coal dust; also, a spot or soil made by such matter. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mining) Bad, soft coal, containing much earthy matter, found in the immediate locality of faults. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Bot.) An infection of cereal grains producing a swelling which is at length resolved into a powdery sooty mass. It is caused by parasitic fungi of the genus Ustilago. Ustilago segetum, or Ustilago Carbo, is the commonest kind; that of Indian corn is Ustilago maydis. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Obscene language; ribaldry; obscenity. [ 1913 Webster ]

He does not stand upon decency . . . but will talk smut, though a priest and his mother be in the room. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Smut mill, a machine for cleansing grain from smut. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Smutted; p. pr. & vb. n. Smutting. ] 1. To stain or mark with smut; to blacken with coal, soot, or other dirty substance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To taint with mildew, as grain. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To blacken; to sully or taint; to tarnish. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To clear of smut; as, to smut grain for the mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Prob. for smuts. See Smut, n. ] A stain; a dirty spot. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Smutched p. pr. & vb. n. Smutching. ] To blacken with smoke, soot, or coal. [ Written also smooch. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Snuff. [ Obs. ] Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]