Word of the Day

Friday, November 07, 2008

olfactory

\ol-FAK-tuh-ree; -tree; ohl-\ , adjective;

of smell; having to do with smelling

Quotes:

What stirred this olfactory reminiscence was the confession of a Philadelphia newsman that the situation in his home town was "stinking."

-- Stinking, Time, October 26, 1937

Mr. Lichter's visitor inhaled the rich sour aroma of the establishement and remarked upon its olfactory munificence.

-- Richard F. Shepard, Pickles, Peppers and Other Puckery Palate-Pleasers, New York Times, March 30, 1971

Origin:

by 1658, from Latin olfactorius, from olfactus, pp. of olfacere "to get the smell of, sniff," from olere "give off a smell of" + Latin facere "make"