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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.

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