The Clue
Smudges (5 letter answer)
The Answer
BLOTS
Tags
Notes
The answer BLOTS is seen occasionally, appearing about once every 700 puzzles.
Related Clues
Smirches
Stains
Bad marks
Dries, in a way
Escutcheon spoilers
Ink spots
Ink stains
Moral flaws
Printing woes
Rorschach "art"
Rorschach items
Rorschach patterns
They're bad on records
Definition
BLOT as a noun:
1. (smudge, spot, blot, daub, smear, smirch, slur) = a blemish made by dirt; "he had a smudge on his cheek"
2. (blot, smear, smirch, spot, stain) = an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; "he made a huge blot on his copybook"
BLOT as a verb:
1. dry (ink) with blotting paper
2. (spot, fleck, blob, blot) = make a spot or mark onto; "The wine spotted the tablecloth"