tiete: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal or literary
Quick answer
What does “tiete” mean?
To feel, express, or show strong resentment or indignation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To feel, express, or show strong resentment or indignation.
To burn, smart, or be inflamed with anger or bitterness; to undergo emotional suffering due to perceived unfairness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; equally formal/literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes a bitterness that is nursed internally, sometimes with a sense of righteous indignation.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties; more common in written English than spoken.
Grammar
How to Use “tiete” in a Sentence
to smite at [someone/something]to be smitten with/by [feeling]to smite + ADV (e.g., inwardly)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tiete” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He smote inwardly at the council's decision.
- Her words left him smitten with shame.
American English
- The community smote at the unjust verdict.
- He was clearly smitten by the accusation.
adverb
British English
- He thought smitingly of his former partner.
- She spoke smitingly of her treatment.
American English
- He watched smitingly as credit was given to another.
- The report commented smitingly on the policy failure.
adjective
British English
- A smiting envy consumed him.
- Her letter carried a smiting tone.
American English
- He gave a smiting look of disapproval.
- The memoir revealed his smiting bitterness.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in contexts of perceived unfair business practices: 'The small suppliers smited at the monopolistic terms.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, history, or social sciences to describe historical grievances or characters' emotions.
Everyday
Virtually unused in casual conversation.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tiete”
- Incorrect tense: 'smite' (present), 'smote' (past), 'smitten' (past participle). Often regularised incorrectly to 'smited'.
- Confusion with the more common verb 'smite' meaning 'to strike'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal, and somewhat archaic verb. It is most likely encountered in historical texts or literary works.
'Smite' is more intense and poetic, often implying the resentment burns or wounds the person feeling it. 'Resent' is more common and general.
While its core meaning is emotional, it etymologically relates to 'smart' or 'burn', so it can describe a sensation that feels like a sting or burn, but this is very rare.
Remember the pattern: smite (present) -> smote (simple past) -> smitten (past participle). It is an irregular verb similar to 'write' (write/wrote/written).
To feel, express, or show strong resentment or indignation.
Tiete is usually formal or literary in register.
Tiete: in British English it is pronounced /smaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /smaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Smite one's breast (archaic: show remorse)”
- “Smite under a sense of wrong”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone SMILING bitterly (SMI-TE) while hiding deep resentment.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESENTMENT IS A BURNING PAIN / INJUSTICE IS A PHYSICAL BLOW.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the emotion of 'smiting'?