Besmudded

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Definitions

1. Marked or dirtied with smudges, streaks, or blots of dirt or grime
2. Covered or stained with smudged marks that blur or obscure the surface
3. Soiled with smudged discoloration that makes something appear dirty or unclear

Etymology: "Besmudded" is a nonstandard spelling of the past participle "besmudged," the form of the verb "besmudge." The verb is built from the prefix "be-" and the verb "smudge." In English, "be-" can mean "all over" or "thoroughly," as in "bedew" or "bespatter," so "besmudge" means to smear or soil something thoroughly, not just in one spot. The root "smudge" is of uncertain origin. It is probably related to older words such as "smutch" and "smut," which also refer to dirt or soot, and it may come from a regional English or Scots dialect. Its exact ancestry is unclear, so "besmudge" is best understood as a simple combination: an intensifying prefix attached to a word for smearing with dirt.