Smith (metalwork)

A smith, or metalsmith, is a person involved in the shaping of metal objects. The traditional working place for a smith is a forge or smithy.

Related Topics:
Metal - Forge

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In pre-industrialized times, smiths held high or special social standing, as they supplied the metal tools needed for farming (especially the plough) and warfare.

Related Topics:
Tool - Farming - Plough

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The word smith is cognate with the somewhat archaic English (Germanic) word smite, meaning to hit or strike. Originally smiths practiced their crafts by forming metal with hammer blows. In this sense, the English word predates the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain.

Related Topics:
Cognate - English - Germanic - Crafts - Metal - Anglo-Saxon - Invasion

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The term, "handsmith" is also used to designate people practicing other crafts, such as wordsmith and tunesmith.

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