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.
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.
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.
Hear it pronounced