Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

olfactory

 - 6 dictionary results

ol⋅fac⋅to⋅ry

  [ol-fak-tuh-ree, -tree, ohl-] adjective, noun, plural -ries.
Use olfactory in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to the sense of smell: olfactory organs.
–noun
2. Usually, olfactories. an olfactory organ.
3. olfactory nerve.
Origin:
1650–60; < L olfactōrius, equiv. to olfac(ere) to smell at, sniff (ol(ēre) to smell (akin to odor ) + facere to make, do) + -tōrius -tory 1

Related forms:
ol⋅fac⋅to⋅ri⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To olfactory
ol·fac·to·ry   (ŏl-fāk'tə-rē, -trē, ōl-)   
adj.  Of, relating to, or contributing to the sense of smell.

[Latin olfactōrius, used to sniff at, from olfactus, past participle of olfacere, to smell : olēre, to smell + facere, to do; see fact.]
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
Cultural Dictionary

olfactory [(ol-fak-tuh-ree, ohl-fak-tuh-ree)]

A descriptive term for the sense of smell.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

olfactory 
1658, from L. olfactorius, from olfactus, pp. of olfacere "to get the smell of, sniff," from olere "give off a smell of" (see odor) + facere "make" (see factitious).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ol·fac·to·ry
Pronunciation: äl-'fak-t(&-)rE, Ol-
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, or connected with the senseof smell
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

olfactory ol·fac·to·ry (ŏl-fāk'tə-rē, -trē, ōl-)
adj.
Of, relating to, or contributing to the sense of smell.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see olfactory on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way