# smitham

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. Small lumps of ore which free miners scavenged because small quantities were exempt from payment of taxes. The practice ended in 1760 when the Duke of Devonshire challenged the tax exemption.

## Etymology
Perhaps compare English smeddum (“fine powder, lump ore, etc.”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/smitham