'smoothly-torn' is a compound word formed from 'smoothly' and 'torn'. 'Smoothly' originates from the Old English word 'smōð', meaning 'even or level', and 'torn' is the past participle of 'tear', which comes from the Old English 'teran', meaning 'to rend or lacerate'.

'smoothly' evolved from the Old English 'smōð', and 'torn' from 'teran', eventually combining in modern English to form the compound adjective 'smoothly-torn'.

Initially, 'smoothly' meant 'even or level', and 'torn' meant 'to rend or lacerate'. The compound 'smoothly-torn' describes the action of tearing in a smooth manner.