scent

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A distinctive smell.

   the scent of flowers / of a skunk

2. 2
   noun

   A smell left by an animal that may be used for tracing.

   The dogs picked up / caught the scent but then quickly lost it.

3. 3
   noun

   The sense of smell.

   I believe the bloodhound has the best scent of all dogs.

4. 4
   noun

   A substance (usually liquid) created to provide a pleasant smell.

   a scent shop

5. 5
   noun

   Any trail or trace that can be followed to find something or someone, such as the paper left behind in a paperchase.

   The minister's off-hand remark put journalists on the scent of a cover-up.

6. 6
   noun

   Sense, perception.

   A fit false dreame, that can delude the sleepers sent.

7. 7
   verb

   To detect the scent of; to discern by the sense of smell.

   The hounds scented the fox in the woods.

8. 8
   verb

   To inhale in order to detect the scent of (something).

   I paused to scent the breeze as I entered the valley.

Etymology

From Middle English sent (noun) and senten (verb), from Old French sentir (“to feel, perceive, smell, sense”), from Latin sentīre (“to feel, sense”). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sent- (“to feel”), and thus related to Saterland Frisian Sin (“sense”), West Frisian sin (“sense”), Dutch zin (“sense, meaning”), Low German Sinn (“sense”), Luxembourgish Sënn (“sense, perception”), German Sinn (“sense”). The -c- appeared in the 17th century, possibly by influence of ascent, descent, etc., or by influence of science.