smartness

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
  2. noun intelligence as manifested in being quick and witty
  3. noun elegance by virtue of being fashionable

Etymology

From Middle English smartnesse, smertnesse, equivalent to smart + -ness. Cognate with Middle Dutch smartenisse (“pain, injury, insult, scorn, agony”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

smart, smarting

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