smudged window

[stam_adam]

Hi, I have a question to native English-speakers :)
When, with no particular context, you hear the word "smudged window", does it it sound to you like the window is dirty, or that it is blurred? Let's say: She stood, lost in her thoughts, pointing to the city beyond a smudged window. (this is not a quote, just an example :) )
Thanks a lot!

Comments

[carlyinrome]

Well, "to smudge" is a fairly specific verb: to smear by rubbing. My initial reaction, without context, would be to assume that someone wiped their hand across the (possibly dirty, more likely damp or steamy) glass so they could see through it better. I would think smeared by fingerprints (blurry but still transparent), but not necessarily dirty.

Like this:

[stam_adam]

Thank you :)

[suzycat]

Dirty in a way that causes the view through it to be blurred.

[stam_adam]

Thanks!

[snailbones]

Smudged window sounds wrong to me - 'smudge' is something that happens to a fluid, like paint or ink, rather than a solid thing like a window. If the window was wet or dirty, I think I'd use 'smeared window', or more likely 'smeared glass'.

[stam_adam]

Thanks for your comment :)

[beesandbrews]

It's dirty. Most likely from someone leaning against it. Smudging suggests something other than windows that need a good clean. It's fingermarks, or a dog's nose prints or something else that's roundly patterned, as opposed to streaks that are vaguely linear.

[stam_adam]

Thanks for the explanations :)

[wasureneba]

^^This exactly for me.

[lilacsigil]

Dirty, but in a semi-translucent way, like with dog slobber or handprints, not with actual discolouring dirt or smoke.

[stam_adam]

Thank you!