smack1

 
Pronunciation: /smak/

noun

  • a sharp slap or blow, typically one given with the palm of the hand: she gave Mark a smack across the face
  • a loud, sharp sound: she closed the ledger with a smack
  • a loud kiss: I was saluted with two hearty smacks on my cheeks

verb

[with object]
  • 1strike (someone or something), typically with the palm of the hand and as a punishment: Jessica smacked his face, quite hard
  • [with object and adverbial of place] smash, drive, or put forcefully into or on to something: he smacked a fist into the palm of a black-gloved hand
  • 2part (one’s lips) noisily in eager anticipation or enjoyment of food or drink: Morgan drank half the Scotch and smacked his lips
  • 3 archaic crack (a whip): the four postilions smacked their whips in concert

adverb

(also smack bang) informal
  • 1in a sudden and violent way: I ran smack into the back of a parked truck
  • 2exactly; precisely: our mother’s house was smack in the middle of the city

Phrases

a smack in the face (or eye)

informal a strong rebuff: this was a smack in the face for the Establishment

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'part (one's lips) noisily'): from Middle Dutch smacken, of imitative origin; compare with German schmatzen 'eat or kiss noisily'