scent

[sent] /sɛnt/
noun
1.
a distinctive odor, especially when agreeable:
the scent of roses.
2.
an odor left in passing, by means of which an animal or person may be traced.
3.
a track or trail as or as if indicated by such an odor:
The dogs lost the scent and the prisoner escaped.
4.
perfume.
5.
the sense of smell:
a remarkably keen scent.
6.
small pieces of paper dropped by the hares in the game of hare and hounds.
verb (used with object)
7.
to perceive or recognize by or as if by the sense of smell:
to scent trouble.
8.
to fill with an odor; perfume.
verb (used without object)
9.
to hunt by the sense of smell, as a hound.
Origin
1325-75; (v.) earlier sent, Middle English senten < Middle French sentir to smell < Latin sentīre to feel; (noun) Middle English, derivative of the v. Cf. sense
Related forms
scentless, adjective
scentlessness, noun
nonscented, adjective
outscent, verb (used with object)
overscented, adjective
unscented, adjective
well-scented, adjective
Can be confused
cents, scents, sense.
Synonyms
1. See odor. 7. smell, sniff.
Examples from the web for scent
  • Floral bouquet containing the combination of several flowers in a scent.
  • Although blinded, the raging monster pursues them by their scent.
  • Any ant that enters a colony without a matching scent will be attacked.
  • Beagles are scent hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game.
  • When they do stand, it is usually to get a better scent or to look at something.
  • Temperament this breed is a gentle dog who is nonetheless tireless in following a scent.
British Dictionary definitions for scent

scent

/sɛnt/
noun
1.
a distinctive smell, esp a pleasant one
2.
a smell left in passing, by which a person or animal may be traced
3.
a trail, clue, or guide
4.
an instinctive ability for finding out or detecting
5.
another word (esp Brit) for perfume
verb
6.
(transitive) to recognize or be aware of by or as if by the smell
7.
(transitive) to have a suspicion of; detect: I scent foul play
8.
(transitive) to fill with odour or fragrance
9.
(intransitive) (of hounds, etc) to hunt by the sense of smell
10.
to smell (at): the dog scented the air
Derived Forms
scented, adjective
scentless, adjective
scentlessness, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French sentir to sense, from Latin sentīre to feel; see sense
Word Origin and History for scent
v.

late 14c., sent "to find the scent of," from Old French sentir "to feel, smell, touch, taste; realize, perceive; make love to," from Latin sentire " to feel, perceive, sense, discern, hear, see" (see sense (n.)).

Originally a hunting term. The -c- appeared 17c., perhaps by influence of ascent, descent, etc., or by influence of science. This was a tendency in early Modern English, cf. scythe, and also scite, scituate. Figurative use from 1550s. Transitive sense "impregnate with an odor, perfume" is from 1690s. Related: Scented; scenting.

n.

late 14c., "scent, smell, what can be smelled" (as a means of pursuit by a hound), from scent (v.). Almost always applied to agreeable odors.

Idioms and Phrases with scent

scent

see: throw off , def. 3.
Encyclopedia Article for scent

aroma

the property of certain substances, in very small concentrations, to stimulate chemical sense receptors that sample the air or water surrounding an animal. In insects and other invertebrates and in aquatic animals, the perception of small chemical concentrations often merges with perception via contact of heavy concentrations (taste), and with other chemoreceptive specializations. See also smell.

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