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Definition of Perfume - 5 dictionary results

per⋅fume

[n. pur-fyoom, per-fyoom; v. per-fyoom, pur-fyoom] noun, verb, -fumed, -fum⋅ing.
–noun
1. a substance, extract, or preparation for diffusing or imparting an agreeable or attractive smell, esp. a fluid containing fragrant natural oils extracted from flowers, woods, etc., or similar synthetic oils.
2. the scent, odor, or volatile particles emitted by substances that smell agreeable.
–verb (used with object)
3. (of substances, flowers, etc.) to impart a pleasant fragrance to.
4. to impregnate with a sweet odor; scent.

Origin:
1525–35; earlier parfume (n.) < MF parfum, n. deriv. of parfumer (v.) < obs. It parfumare (mod. profumare). See per-, fume


per⋅fume⋅less, adjective
per⋅fum⋅y, adjective


1. essence, attar, scent; incense. 2. Perfume, aroma, fragrance all refer to agreeable odors. Perfume often indicates a strong, rich smell, natural or manufactured: the perfume of flowers. Fragrance is usually applied to fresh, delicate, and delicious odors, esp. from growing things: fragrance of new-mown hay. Aroma is restricted to a somewhat spicy smell: the aroma of coffee.


2. stench.
per·fume   (pûr'fyōōm', pər-fyōōm')   
n.  
  1. A substance that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor, especially a volatile liquid distilled from flowers or prepared synthetically.
  2. A pleasing, agreeable scent or odor. See Synonyms at fragrance.
tr.v.   (pər-fyōōm') per·fumed, per·fum·ing, per·fumes
To fill or permeate with fragrance; impart a pleasant odor to.

[French parfum, from Old Italian parfumo, from parfumare, to fill with smoke : par-, intensive pref. (from Latin per-, per-) + fumare, to smoke (from Latin fūmāre, from fūmus, smoke).]

Perfume

Per*fume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perfumed; p. pr. & vb. n. Perfuming.] [F. parfumer (cf. Sp. perfumar); par (see Par) + fumer to smoke, L. fumare, fr. fumus smoke. See Fume.] To fill or impregnate with a perfume; to scent.

And Carmel's flowery top perfumes the skies. --Pope.

Perfume

Per"fume\, n. [F. parfum; cf. Sp. perfume. See Perfume, v.]

1. The scent, odor, or odoriferous particles emitted from a sweet-smelling substance; a pleasant odor; fragrance; aroma.

No rich perfumes refresh the fruitful field. --Pope.

2. A substance that emits an agreeable odor.

And thou shalt make it a perfume. --Ex. xxx. 35.
Language Translation for : Perfume
Spanish: perfume,
German: der Duft,
Japanese: 香り

perfume  (n.)
1533, from M.Fr. parfum, from parfumer "to scent," from Prov. perfumar, from L. per- "through" (see per) + fumare "to smoke" (see fume). Earliest use in Eng. was in reference to fumes from something burning. Meaning "fluid containing agreeable essences of flowers, etc., is attested from 1542. The verb is first recorded 1538.
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