- To perceive by the olfactory nerves, or organs of smell; to
have a sensation of, excited through the nasal organs when affected by
the appropriate materials or qualities; to obtain the scent of; as, to
smell a rose; to smell perfumes. - To detect or perceive, as if by the sense of smell; to scent
out; -- often with out. - To give heed to.
2 . Smell
[ v. i.]
- To affect the olfactory nerves; to have an odor or scent;
-- often followed by of; as, to smell of smoke, or of musk. - To have a particular tincture or smack of any quality; to
savor; as, a report smells of calumny. - To exercise the sense of smell. - To exercise sagacity.
3 . Smell
[ v. t.]
- The sense or faculty by which certain qualities of bodies
are perceived through the instrumentally of the olfactory nerves. See
Sense. - The quality of any thing or substance, or emanation
therefrom, which affects the olfactory organs; odor; scent; fragrance;
perfume; as, the smell of mint.
Meaning of 'smell' (Princeton's WordNet)
1 . smell
[ n]
Meaning (1): - the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
Example in sentence:
a clergyman improved the tone of the meeting;
it had the smell of treason;
the feel of the city excited him
Meaning (2): - the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
Example in sentence:
she loved the smell of roses
3 . smell
[ v]
Meaning (3): - smell bad
Example in sentence:
He rarely washes, and he smells
Meaning (4): - have an element suggestive (of something)
Example in sentence:
his speeches smacked of racism;
this passage smells of plagiarism
Meaning (5): - become aware of not through the senses but instinctively