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scent

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scent

[sent]
–noun
1. a distinctive odor, esp. 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, ME senten < MF sentir to smell < L sentīre to feel; (n.) ME, deriv. of the v. Cf. sense


scentless, adjective
scent⋅less⋅ness, noun


1. See odor. 7. smell, sniff.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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scent   (sěnt)   
n.  
  1. A distinctive, often agreeable odor. See Synonyms at fragrance, smell.

  2. A perfume: an expensive French scent.

  3. An odor left by the passing of an animal.

  4. The trail of a hunted animal or fugitive.

  5. The sense of smell: a bear's keen scent.

  6. A hint of something imminent; a suggestion: caught the scent of a reconciliation.

v.   scent·ed, scent·ing, scents

v.   tr.
  1. To perceive or identify by the sense of smell: dogs scenting their prey.

  2. To suspect or detect as if by smelling: scented danger.

  3. To fill with a pleasant odor; perfume: when blossoms scent the air.

v.   intr.
To hunt prey by means of the sense of smell. Used of hounds.

[Middle English sent, from senten, to scent, from Old French sentir, from Latin sentīre, to feel; see sent- in Indo-European roots.]
scent'less adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

scent  (v.)
c.1400, from O.Fr. sentir "to feel, perceive, smell," from L. sentire " to feel, perceive, sense" (see sense). Originally a hunting term. The -c- appeared 17c., perhaps by influence of ascent, descent, etc., or by influence of science. The noun is first recorded 1375. Almost always applied to agreeable odors.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

scent

see throw off, def. 3.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Encyclopedia

scent

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.

Learn more about scent with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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