smeared

Smeared is the past participle and adjective form of the verb smear. It describes something that has been spread or rubbed over a surface, often leaving marks, stains, or an uneven coating. It can also refer to something blurred or smudged in appearance, or to reputational damage caused by false or sensational claims.

In everyday use, smeared describes physical markings on objects or bodies, such as a wall smeared with grease, a plate smeared with sauce, or makeup smeared across the face. It can also refer to textures or surfaces that are intentionally created by smearing, as in painting or finger painting, where paint is applied by smearing rather than brushing.

Metaphorically, smeared is used to describe attempts to tarnish someone’s reputation. A smear campaign refers to the spread of damaging or misleading information about a person or organization to influence public opinion.

In scientific and technical contexts, smear has specific meanings. A smear is a thin layer of a sample spread on a microscope slide for microscopic examination, often followed by staining. The sample on the slide may be described as smeared. Smearing also appears in imaging and signal processing to denote spreading or blurring of signals or images, which can affect detail and clarity.

Overall, smeared conveys the idea of uneven spread, blur, or damage, depending on the context.