Smell: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from Old English 'smellan', which means 'to smell' or 'to perceive odor'.
• In different cultures, variations of the word also exist, like 'olfactory' from the Latin 'olfacere', meaning 'to smell' or 'to catch a scent'.

Biology

• Human noses can detect about 1 trillion different scents, far surpassing the number of colors our eyes can see.
• The sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions and memories.

Psychology

• Smells can evoke strong memories and feelings, often referred to as the 'Proust phenomenon' after the writer Marcel Proust, who described this in his work.
• Certain scents can trigger calming responses, influencing mood and stress levels.

Cultural Significance

• In many cultures, scent plays a significant role in tradition, such as incense in religious ceremonies or fragrances in perfumes to signify status.
• Smell is also an important part of cooking; the aroma of food can be just as crucial as its taste in sharing cultural identities.

Environmental Impact

• Pollution can affect the ability to smell, leading to a decline in air quality and public health.
• Certain plants release scents to attract pollinators, playing a vital role in the ecosystem's food chain.

With rank #4,460, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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