smegmatic

English

Alternative forms

• smegmatick

Etymology

From Latin smēgmaticus.

Adjective

smegmatic (comparative more smegmatic, superlative most smegmatic)

1. (obsolete) Having a soapy or oily consistency.
   • 1652, A Hermeticall banquet, drest by a spagiricall cook for the better preservation of the microcosme, page 71:

     I sent the Embassadours of my Fansie through every part of the World for Vegetables, Mineralls, Semimineralls, Fukes, Belletti, Smegmatick Secrets, Vnctions, Pomadoes, Waters, any thing that had or might be practized in that nature.

   • 1666, William Austin, Epiloimia epē, or, The anatomy of the pestilence: a poem in three parts, page 90:

     This will extinguish fire of prurient lust,
     And be smegmatick to our scabtous rust.

   • 1688, John Worlidge, Systema horti-culturæ, or, The art of gardening in three books, book 9, chapter 3, section 2, pages 202-203:

     This smegmatick or oily Matter that is left by the Fire, in a moderate proportion applyed to any Earth highly enricheth it […]

2. Of, relating to, or containing smegma.

   smegmatic pseudocysts

   smegmatic debris

Noun

smegmatic (plural smegmatics)

1. (obsolete) A cleansing substance.
   • 1665, Thomas Jeamson, Artificiall embellishments, or Arts best directions: how to preserve beauty or procure it, dedication:

     If you glory in Captives, and desire by a sparkling splendour to fire Platonick Amoretto's out of their lawlesse liberty, borrow but lustre from these Artificiall Smegmaticks.

   • 1675 May 9 (Gregorian calendar), J[ohn] Evelyn, A Philosophical Discourse of Earth, Relating to the Culture and Improvement of It for Vegetation, and the Propagation of Plants, &c. […], London: […] John Martyn, printer to the Royal Society, published 1676, →OCLC:

     the Bolus's, Rubrics, and Okers, Figuline, Stiptic, Smegmatic &c. as they are diversly qualified for several uses, Medical, and Mechanical

   • 1693, John Edwards, A discourse concerning the authority, stile, and perfection of the books of the Old and New-Testament, pages 191-192:

     […] the Physicians, whose Task it is to take care not only of the Health, but the Beauty, Cleanliness and Comely Plight of the Body; in order the latter of which Smegmaticks, Mundifiers, Cleansers, Adorners, are useful.

Anagrams

• tagmemics