Fernando Souza
The meaning of the word smitten

I'm impressed on the word smitten has totally different meanings. Look:

Smitten is the past participle of the word smite that could be to hit someone strongly or to be deeply attracted to someone.


Could you guys give some examples with those both meanings?

30 de abr. de 2016 16:39
Comentarios · 2
2

Only the second usage is commonplace.

The first usage is more literary. Or used when quoting scripture. You won't ever hear it used in conversation.

30 de abril de 2016
1

The meanings are not really that different.  Smite means to strike or overwhelm.  A person can be struck by an idea or overwhelmed by a feeling.  

God smites the evil ones. ( In English, one usually only hears of deities smiting someone.)

Thor smites Loki with his mighty hammer.

I was smitten with her. Or:  She was smitten by him.  Both "with" and "by" are used with smitten.

John was smitten by the idea of smiting his brother on the arm.



30 de abril de 2016