Smell Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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smell
[smɛl ]
Definitions
sense
The faculty or power of perceiving odors or scents by means of the organs in the nose; the sense of smell.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Dogs have a much keener sense of smell than humans.
- The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
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.
Origin of 'smell'
Main points about word origin
- 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'.
The word 'smell' originated from the Old English 'smylten' which meant to emit or emit a smell. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass the sense of perceiving odors. The sense of smell is one of the oldest and most important senses in humans and animals, playing a crucial role in survival and social interactions.
Word Frequency Rank
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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- 4457 reproduction
- 4458 talks
- 4459 combine
- 4460 smell
- 4461 dialogue
- 4462 supplement
- 4463 literally
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