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Stair vs Smear - What's the difference?

stair | smear | Related terms |

Stair is a related term of smear.


As nouns the difference between stair and smear

is that stair is a single step in a staircase while smear is a mark made by smearing.

As a verb smear is

to spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.

stair

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A single step in a staircase.
  • A series of steps, a staircase.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1899, author=(Hughes Mearns)
    • , title= , passage=Yesterday, upon the stair  / I met a man who wasn’t there / He wasn’t there again today / I wish, I wish he’d go away …}}

    Usage notes

    * Stairs'' and ''stair are used to refer to a single staircase, mostly interchangeably in the UK.

    Derived terms

    * above-stairs * upstairs * downstairs * stair-stepping * staircase * stairs * stairway * stairwell

    See also

    * ladder * landing

    Anagrams

    * ----

    smear

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.
    • The artist smeared paint over the canvas in broad strokes.
  • To have a substance smeared on (a surface).
    • She smeared her lips with lipstick.
  • To damage someone's reputation by slandering, misrepresenting, or otherwise making false accusations about an individual, their statements, or their actions.
    • ''The opposition party attempted to smear the candidate by spreading incorrect and unverifiable rumors about their personal behavior.
  • To become spread by smearing.
    • The paint is still wet — don't touch it or it will smear .
  • To climb without using footholds, using the friction from the shoe to stay on the wall.

    • Synonyms

    * spread * (have a substance smeared on) coat, cover, layer

    Derived terms

    * smearer

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A mark made by smearing.
    • This detergent cleans windows without leaving smears .
  • (medicine) A Pap smear.
    • I'm going to the doctor's this afternoon for a smear .
  • A false attack.
  • A maneuver in which the shoe is placed onto the holdless rock, and the friction from the shoe keeps it in contact
  • A rough glissando in jazz music.

    • Synonyms

    * (mark) streak * (Pap smear) Pap smear, Pap test

    Derived terms

    * cervical smear * smear campaign * smear case

    Anagrams

    * * * * English ergative verbs