sent n. & v. --n. 1 a
distinctive,
esp.
pleasant,
smell (the scent of hay). 2 a a scent
trail left by an
animal perceptible to hounds etc. b clues etc.
that can be followed like a scent trail (lost
the scent in Paris). c the
power of detecting or distinguishing smells etc. or of discovering things (some dogs
have little scent; the scent
for talent). 3
Brit. =
PERFUME 2. 4 a trail
laid in a paper-chase. --v. 1 tr. a
discern by scent (the
dog scented game). b
sense the
presence of (scent treachery). 2 tr.
make fragrant or foul-smelling. 3 tr. (as scented adj.) having esp. a pleasant smell (scented soap). 4 intr.
exercise the sense of smell (goes scenting about). 5 tr.
apply the sense of smell to (scented the air). øfalse scent 1 a scent trail laid to
deceive. 2
false clues etc.
intended to
deflect pursuers. on the scent having a
clue. put (or throw)
off the scent deceive by false clues etc. scent-bag a
bag of
aniseed etc. used to lay a trail in drag-hunting. scent-gland (or -organ) a gland in
some animals secreting
musk,
civet, etc. scent
out discover by smelling or searching. øøscentless adj. [ME
sent f. OF sentir
perceive, smell, f. L sentire; -c(17th c.) unexpl.]
