n. & v.
—n.
1 a blurred or smeared line or mark; a blot; a smear of dirt.
2 a stain or blot on a person's character etc.
—v.
1 tr. make a smudge on.
2 intr. become smeared or blurred (smudges easily).
3 tr. smear or blur the lines of (writing, drawing, etc.) (smudge the outline).
4 tr. defile, sully, stain, or disgrace (a person's name, character, etc.).
Derivatives:
smudgeless adj.
Etymology: ME: orig. unkn.
2.
n. US an outdoor fire with dense smoke made to keep off insects, protect plants against frost, etc.
Phrases and idioms:
smudge-pot a container holding burning material that produces a smudge.
Etymology: smudge (v.) cure (herring) by smoking (16th c.: orig. unkn.)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.