GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Smell , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smelled , Smelt ; p. pr. & vb. n. Smelling.] [OE. smellen, smillen, smullen; cf. LG. smellen, smelen, smölen, schmelen, to smoke, to reek, D. smeulen to smolder, and E. smolder. Cf. Smell, n.]
   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.
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   To detect or perceive, as if by the sense of smell; to scent out; -- often with out. “I smell a device.” 
   Shak.
   
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   Can you smell him out by that?
   Shak.
   
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   To give heed to. [Obs.]
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   From that time forward I began to smellthe Word of God, and forsook the school doctors.
   Latimer.
   
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   To smell a rat, to have a sense of something wrong, not clearly evident; to have reason for suspicion. [Colloq.] -- To smell out, to find out by sagacity. [Colloq.]
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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.
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   To have a particular tincture or smack of any quality; to savor; as, a report smells of calumny.
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   Praises in an enemy are superfluous, or smell of craft.
   Milton.
   
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   To exercise the sense of smell.
   Ex. xxx. 38.
   
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   To exercise sagacity.
   Shak.
   
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3.       
   Smell, n. [OE. smel, smil, smul, smeol. See Smell, v. t.] (Physiol.)
   The sense or faculty by which certain qualities of bodies are perceived through the instrumentally of the olfactory nerves. See Sense.
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   The quality of any thing or substance, or emanation therefrom, which affects the olfactory organs; odor; scent; fragrance; perfume; as, the smell of mint.
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   Breathing the smell of field and grove.
   Milton.
   
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   That which, above all others, yields the sweetest smell in the air, is the violent.
   Bacon.
   
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   Syn. -- Scent; odor; perfume; fragrance.
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