They named Howe the smartest player, best passer and playmaker and best puck carrier.
But even the smartest policing by the most dedicated cops can only do so much in the absence of effective gun laws.
The comedian and filmmaker has been the smartest and funniest person in the room since he was in high school (maybe even earlier).
I was sure that in New York there resided the smartest people in the world, and I suppose I was half-right about that.
Of course, you do not need to be the smartest of Alecs to know that I should be doing this with all my sources.
You're a good girl and a smart girl—the smartest and best girl there is in this town.
He was the best, smartest and most liked person in his village.
She was one of the smartest women and most successful entertainers in London.
Lacy is the smartest fellow we have, and I think will be sure to find him.
I got the smartest children that ever was and they owe it all to their mother, every bit.
Old English smeortan "be painful," from Proto-Germanic *smarta- (cf. Middle Dutch smerten, Dutch smarten, Old High German smerzan, German schmerzen "to pain," originally "to bite"), from PIE *smerd- "pain," an extension of the root *mer- (2) "to rub; to harm" (cf. Greek smerdnos "terrible, dreadful," Sanskrit mardayati "grinds, rubs, crushes," Latin mordere "to bite"). Related: Smarted; smarting.
late Old English smeart "painful, severe, stinging; causing a sharp pain," related to smeortan (see smart (v.)). Meaning "executed with force and vigor" is from c.1300. Meaning "quick, active, clever" is attested from c.1300, from the notion of "cutting" wit, words, etc., or else "keen in bargaining." Meaning "trim in attire" first attested 1718, "ascending from the kitchen to the drawing-room c.1880" [Weekley]. For sense evolution, cf. sharp (adj.).
In reference to devices, the sense of "behaving as though guided by intelligence" (e.g. smart bomb) first attested 1972. Smarts "good sense, intelligence," is first recorded 1968. Smart cookie is from 1948.
"sharp pain," c.1200, from sharp (adj.). Cf. cognate Middle Dutch smerte, Dutch smart, Old High German smerzo, German Schmerz "pain."
adjective
Related Terms
[the first sense was revived in the 1880s and much reprehended]