scent

scent¹ [sent] n

1.)

a pleasant smell that something has

= ↑fragrance

▪ a yellow rose with a lovely scent

scent of

▪ the sweet scent of ripe fruit

2.)

the smell of a particular animal or person that some other animals, for example dogs, can follow

3.) throw/put sb off the scent

to give someone false information to prevent them from catching you or discovering something

▪ Was he trying to put me off the scent because I had come too close to the truth?

4.) [U and C] especially BrE a liquid that you put on your skin to make it smell pleasant

= ↑perfume

scent ²

scent² v [T]

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: sentir 'to feel, smell', from Latin sentire 'to feel']

1.) to give a particular smell to something

→↑perfume

▪ Honeysuckle and roses scented the air.

2.) written to suddenly think that something is going to happen or exists

▪ We scented danger and decided to leave.

▪ The press had immediately scented a story.

▪ The trade unions have scented victory.

3.) if an animal scents another animal or a person, it knows that they are near because it can smell them