Smites

Smites is the plural form of a noun referring to blows or acts of striking, often with implications of punishment or divine intervention. In everyday usage, smite is more commonly encountered as a verb meaning to strike with force or to defeat decisively. The plural form appears mainly in historical, religious, or literary contexts where individual instances of punishment or destruction are described.

Etymology and usage history: The term derives from Old English smita(n), meaning to strike or beat. The noun sense is relatively rare in contemporary prose, with the action typically described by the verb smite. In translations of ancient texts, smites are used to convey dramatic, authoritative acts of power or judgment.

Religious and mythological contexts: In many tradi tions, smiting is attributed to a deity or divine agent. Biblical and pseudo-biblical literature frequently uses smite to portray punishment, vindication, or protection—such as the smiting of enemies, plagues, or disasters brought by divine will. Similar language appears in mythologies and epic poetry, where gods or heroes deliver decisive or catastrophic blows.

Literary and cultural usage: In modern fiction and fantasy writing, smites often denote spectacular or magical strikes in battles, duels, or magical confrontations. The verb form smite and its past tense smote or smitten appear in older prose and are sometimes used for stylistic effect to evoke gravity and antiquity.

Modern language and related terms: Today, smite remains a formal or archaic term; smitten can describe emotional impact, such as being deeply attracted or struck by a feeling. Note that there is also a video game titled Smite, a separate proper noun in the realm of popular culture, unrelated to the general sense of divine punishment.