smell etymology

Etymology

The word "smell" comes from the Middle English word "smellen," which in turn originated from the Proto-Germanic word "smellan." This root is related to words in other Indo-European languages, such as the Sanskrit word "ghrāṇa" (nose) and the Latin word "olere" (to smell).

Meaning

The word "smell" has several related meanings:

• The sense by which humans and animals perceive odors through the nose.
• The odor or scent that is perceived by the sense of smell.
• A particular type of odor, such as a pleasant or unpleasant smell.

Origin

The word "smell" has been used in English since the early 12th century. Its original meaning was simply "to perceive odor." Over time, the word has acquired its additional meanings, such as "odor" and "type of odor."

smell relate terms

• rodent

  Etymology The word rodent comes from the Latin word rodere which means to gnaw I

• smolder

  Etymology Old English smorian to smother from Proto Germanic smerwaz Cognates in oth

• smelt

  Etymology The word smelt comes from the Old English verb smelten which means to me

• spirit

  Etymology The word spirit is derived from the Latin word spiritus which means breat

• tone

  Etymology Origin Middle English toune from Old English tun meaning enclosed set

• odor

  Etymology The word odor comes from the Latin word odor which means scent or smel

• fragrant

  Etymology The word fragrant comes from the Latin word fragrans meaning sweet smell

• osmium

  Etymology The word osmium originates from the Greek word osme ὀσμή which mea

• brach

  Etymology The word brach comes from the Old French word brachet which in turn comes

• wind

  Etymology of Wind The English word wind originates from the Old English word wind

• evoke

  Etymology The word evoke comes from the Latin word evocare which means to call for

• feel

  Etymology The word feel comes from the Middle English word felen to feel which in