▪ I. smake
obs. form of smack n.1
▪ II. † smake, v. Obs.
[ME. smaken (f. smak smack n.1), = OFris. smakia (EFris. smake), MDu. and Du., MLG. and LG. smaken (hence Sw. smaka, Da. smage); later supplanted by smack v.1]
1. trans. To perceive by scent or smell.
| c 1220 Bestiary 4 in O.E. Misc., Ðe leun stant on hille, and he man hunten here, Oðer ðurȝ hise nese smel Smake ðat he neȝȝe [etc.]. |
2. intr. To smell, give out a (sweet) smell or odour. Also fig., to be redolent of something.
| c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 2443 Iosep dede hise lich..riche-like smeren, And spice-like swete smaken. c 1315 Shoreham i. 1313 The bysschop..seyþ, ‘tak and by-come redere Of word þat of god smakeþ [L. redolet]. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 460/2 Smakyn, or smellyn, odoro. |
3. trans. To taste, or taste of (something). In quots. fig.
| c 1315 Shoreham i. 1600 He hedde y-brout forþe hys bearm-team Wyþ-oute senne i-smaked. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. (1880) III. 411 Suche beggynge moste smake synne, ouþer in hym þat begges, or in hym þat first schulde helpe hym. |
4. intr. To have a (certain) taste.
| 14.. Langl. P. Pl. A. v. 207 (MS. U.), Þe hungriest hound..Ne durst lape of þat laueyne so vnloveli it smakith. |