Definitions for: Smut


[n] any fungus of the order Ustilaginales
[n] destructive diseases of plants (especially cereal grasses) caused by fungi that produce black powdery masses of spores
[n] a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
[v] affect with smut or mildew, as of a crop such as corn
[v] become affected with smut, as of corn
[v] stain with a dirty substance, such as soot



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

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

3. (Bot.) An affection 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 U. Carbo, is the commonest kind;
that of Indian corn is Ustilago maydis.

4. Obscene language; ribaldry; obscenity.

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

Smut mill, a machine for cleansing grain from smut.


Smut, 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.

2. To taint with mildew, as grain. --Bacon.

3. To blacken; to sully or taint; to tarnish.

4. To clear of smut; as, to smut grain for the mill.


Smut, v. i.
1. To gather smut; to be converted into smut; to become
smutted. --Mortimer.

2. To give off smut; to crock.

Synonyms: carbon black, lampblack, smut fungus, soot

See Also: atomic number 6, bunt, bunt, C, carbon, corn smut, cornsmut, covered smut, false smut, flag smut, flag smut fungus, fungus, genus Sphacelotheca, green smut, head smut, infect, loose smut, loose smut, mildew, mold, onion smut, order Ustilaginales, plant disease, Sphacelotheca, Sphacelotheca reiliana, stain, stinking smut, stinking smut, taint, Tilletia caries, Tilletia foetida, Urocystis cepulae, Ustilaginales

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