Search this site:

Definition of scent


Reference


Word of the Day
exculpate
Definition: (verb) to free from blame or guilt.
Petersons.com
Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page:
Add to My Yahoo! View RSS Feed
About My Yahoo! and RSS »

 

scent  audio  (snt) KEY  

NOUN:
  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.
VERB:
scent·ed , scent·ing , scents
VERB:
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.
VERB:
intr.
To hunt prey by means of the sense of smell. Used of hounds.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English sent, from senten, to scent, from Old French sentir, from Latin sentre, to feel; see sent- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
scentless (Adjective)


Visit our partner's site
Provided by Houghton Mifflin
logoeReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer


Search Dictionary:

 More on Yahoo! Education
 • Online and On-Campus Degree Programs
    MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More

 • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide
    College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search
 

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Other Important Information
-