Dame is a term that shifts dramatically in the cross-Atlantic translation between Britain and the United States. Here it’s considered archaic, a throwback to film noir that taught us to associate it with some of cinema’s immortal screen goddesses – Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford. Ladies all, but each with a natural flint that, with the proper friction, could set a poor sap’s life on fire.

In Britain, Dame is a title equivalent to a knighthood, “properly a name of respect or a title equivalent to lady” in status, instructs Brittanica.com.

When we think of Dame Maggie Smith she fits that descriptor since, to the average American, she is Professor Minerva McGonagall from the “Harry Potter” movies or Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham on “Downton Abbey.” By the time those films and hit series came around, Smith had worn her Dame Commander of the British Empire title for many years, having been appointed in 1990.

In the days since Smith’s death was announced on Friday, Sept. 27 at the age of 89, appreciation for her wide contributions to the dramatic arts, theater and cinema has flowed freely.

So too have the reminders by way of interviews conducted over the years that Smith was more dedicated to her craft than the explosion of attention she received after “Downton” became a worldwide hit, with her as its breakout star.

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Smith was an “intensely private person,” according to her family’s statement in announcing her passing, and you only need to watch her 2013 “60 Minutes” interview with Steve Kroft to know that was true. Kroft’s conversational style hinged on approaching the more sensitive side of lighter topics with a big open smile as if to disarm.

Throughout that interview Smith fixed her gaze on a point to the right of the American’s confident grin, not to display a lack of confidence but, instead, a feeling of being done with projecting anything she didn’t wish to.

Kroft’s interview was part of a promotional tour for “Quartet,” the 2012 feature directed by Dustin Hoffman, and eventually gets to a piece of trivia that made my ears perk up – the film represents the first time in some 50 films that Smith used the F-word onscreen.

That wasn’t notable by itself. No, it was Hoffman’s response to being asked about it. He heartily laughs and says, “Well, Maggie, you’ve certainly said it in life! It’s one of........

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