Besmudges

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To make something dirty or stained with a smudge or blotted mark; to blur or obscure clarity by applying an untidy or greasy spot; to mar the surface or appearance by leaving a smirched or soiled patch
2. To cause an object or surface to become soiled or streaked with a smear or blotch; to tarnish the neatness or purity of an item by spreading a dirty mark; to reduce the visual cleanliness through smears or dirtiness
3. To blur or spot an area with greasy or unclear marks, resulting in a dirty or defaced appearance; to sully or stain by applying an untidy patch; to disrupt the clean condition by leaving blurred smears or grime

Etymology: "Besmudges" is the third-person singular present form of "besmudge," so its history is that of the verb itself: a prefix attached to an older word. The base is "smudge," a word of uncertain origin that has long meant a dirty mark or a blurred patch of color. The prefix "be-" is an Old English element that, when added to a verb, typically means "thoroughly" or "all over," or marks the affected object. Put together, "besmudge" means to cover something thoroughly with smudges. The pattern is a familiar one in English. Verbs such as "bedaub," "besmear," and "bespatter" follow the same logic, each taking a messy action and spreading it over the whole surface. "Besmudge" belongs to this group of intensifying verbs, so its meaning is a smudge applied broadly rather than a single mark.

Synonyms: smudges, stains, smears

Antonyms: cleans, washes