Smart money. (a) Money paid by a person to buy himself off from some
unpleasant engagement or some painful situation. (b) (Mil.) Money
allowed to soldiers or sailors, in the English service, for wounds and
injures received; also, a sum paid by a recruit, previous to being
sworn in, to procure his release from service. (c) (Law) Vindictive or
exemplary damages; damages beyond a full compensation for the actual
injury done. Burrill. Greenleaf. -- Smart ticket, a certificate given
to wounded seamen, entitling them to smart money. [Eng.] Brande & C.
Syn. -- Pungent; poignant; sharp; tart; acute; quick; lively; brisk;
witty; clever; keen; dashy; showy. -- Smart, Clever. Smart has been
much used in New England to describe a person who is intelligent,
vigorous, and active; as, a smart young fellow; a smart workman, etc.,
conciding very nearly with the English sense of clever. The nearest
approach to this in England is in such expressions as, he was smart
(pungent or witty) in his reply, etc.; but smart and smartness, when
applied to persons, more commonly refer to dress; as, a smart
appearance; a smart gown, etc.
Smart"en (?), v. t. To make smart or spruce; -- usually with up.
[Colloq.]
She had to go and smarten herself up somewhat.
W. Black.