Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Scent?

\Scent\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scented}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scenting}.] [Originally sent, fr. F. sentir to feel, to smell. See {Sense}.] 1. To perceive by the olfactory organs; to smell; as, to scent game, as a hound does. Methinks I scent the morning air. --Shak. 2. To imbue or fill with odor; to perfume. Balm from a silver box distilled around, Shall all bedew the roots, and scent the sacred ground. --Dryden.
\Scent\, v. i. 1. To have a smell. [Obs.] Thunderbolts . . . do scent strongly of brimstone. --Holland. 2. To hunt animals by means of the sense of smell.
\Scent\, n. 1. That which, issuing from a body, affects the olfactory organs of animals; odor; smell; as, the scent of an orange, or of a rose; the scent of musk. With lavish hand diffuses scents ambrosial. --Prior. 2. Specifically, the odor left by an animal on the ground in passing over it; as, dogs find or lose the scent; hence, course of pursuit; track of discovery. He gained the observations of innumerable ages, and traveled upon the same scent into Ethiopia. --Sir W. Temple. 3. The power of smelling; the sense of smell; as, a hound of nice scent; to divert the scent. --I. Watts.