smart

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smart / smärt/ • adj. 1. inf. having or showing a quick-witted intelligence: if he was that smart he would never have been tricked. ∎  (of a device) capable of independent and seemingly intelligent action: hi-tech smart weapons. ∎  showing impertinence by making clever or sarcastic remarks: don't get smart or I'll whack you one.2. (of a person) clean, neat, and well-dressed: you look very smart. ∎  (of clothes) attractively neat and stylish: a smart blue skirt. ∎  (of a thing) bright and fresh in appearance: a smart green van. ∎  (of a person or place) fashionable and upscale: a smart restaurant.3. quick; brisk: I gave him a smart salute. ∎  painfully severe: a dog that snaps is given a smart blow.• v. [intr.] (of a wound or part of the body) cause a sharp, stinging pain: the wound was smarting | [as adj.] (smarting) Susan rubbed her smarting eyes. ∎  (of a person) feel upset and annoyed: chiefs of staff are still smarting from the government's cuts.• n. 1. (smarts) inf. intelligence; acumen: I don't think I have the smarts for it.2. sharp stinging pain: the smart of the recent blood-raw cuts. ∎ archaic mental pain or suffering: sorrow is the effect of smart, and smart the effect of faith.• adv. archaic in a quick or brisk manner: it is better for tenants to be compelled to pay up smart.DERIVATIVES: smart·ing·ly adv.smart·ly adv.smart·ness n.

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