Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
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
1525–35; earlier parfume (n.) < MF parfum, n. deriv. of parfumer (v.) < obs. It parfumare (mod. profumare). See per-, fume
Related forms:
per⋅fume⋅less, adjective
per⋅fum⋅y, adjective
Synonyms:
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.
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.
Antonyms:
2. stench.
2. stench.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To Perfume
| per·fume (pûr'fyōōm', pər-fyōōm') n.
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).] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
