(n): an abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds
(n): destructive diseases of plants (especially cereal grasses) caused by fungi that produce black powdery masses of spores
(n): a disease that affects plants
(n): any fungus of the order Ustilaginales
(n): an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia
(n): an offensive or indecent word or phrase
(n): vulgar or irreverent speech or action
(n): creative activity (writing or pictures or films etc.) of no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire
(n): the human act of creating
(v): make obscene
(v): cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
(v): stain with a dirty substance, such as soot
(v): produce or leave stains
(v): become affected with smut
(v): become moldy; spoil due to humidity
(v): affect with smut or mildew, as of a crop such as corn
(v): contaminate with a disease or microorganism
'I'm not going to stay here and be insulted.' He went. It was as if one had flicked a smut from one's lapel.
- Peter Reading, C, 1984
Madgitt's death and numbers obsessed son in Drowning by Numbers.
I like the verbal sense: "This line in the play smuts the entire act." Very compact.
This page has more info WordNet definition of smut
Does anyone recognise this WeirdNet definition ("a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink") as what they think of as smut?