Smack

Smack is a word with several distinct meanings in English, used as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it most commonly means to strike with an open hand, delivering a sharp, audible blow. It can also mean to kiss with a quick, forceful motion, or to cause something to make a loud, sharp noise by striking it. As a noun, smack can denote the act of such a strike, a kiss, or a loud sound, and in idiomatic phrases it can indicate a perceived resemblance or hint, as in "smacks of" something.

In slang usage, smack refers to heroin, particularly in British English. The term is used in discussions of drug use, trafficking, and policy. Its origin is uncertain, and it is distinct from medical or pharmaceutical terminology.

Smack also designates a type of traditional fishing vessel. In Britain and Ireland, a smack is a sturdy, single-masted sailing boat historically used for nearshore and coastal fisheries, especially herring. These boats are associated with regional shipbuilding styles and maritime communities, and the term covers various local designs developed over centuries.

The phrase "to smack of" means to carry a particular flavor, impression, or suggestion, often implying something indirect or partial. This idiomatic usage is common in literary and journalistic writing, independent of the physical senses of the word.

Overall, smack reflects the richness of English polysemy, spanning actions, sensory experiences, slang for a narcotic, and a distinct category of historic fishing vessels.