Smell, n. [OE. smel, smil,
smul, smeol. See Smell, v. t.]
(Physiol.) 1. The sense or faculty by
which certain qualities of bodies are perceived through the
instrumentally of the olfactory nerves. See Sense.
2. The quality of any thing or substance, or
emanation therefrom, which affects the olfactory organs; odor; scent;
fragrance; perfume; as, the smell of mint.
Breathing the smell of field and
grove.
Milton.
That which, above all others, yields the sweetest
smell in the air, is the violent.
Bacon.
Syn. -- Scent; odor; perfume; fragrance.
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.] 1. 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.
2. To detect or perceive, as if by the sense
of smell; to scent out; -- often with out. "I
smell a device." Shak.
Can you smell him out by that?
Shak.
3. To give heed to. [Obs.]
From that time forward I began to smellthe Word
of God, and forsook the school doctors.
Latimer.
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.]
Smell, v. i. 1. To
affect the olfactory nerves; to have an odor or scent; -- often
followed by of; as, to smell of smoke, or of
musk.
2. To have a particular tincture or smack of
any quality; to savor; as, a report smells of
calumny.
Praises in an enemy are superfluous, or smell of
craft.
Milton.
3. To exercise the sense of smell.
Ex. xxx. 38.
4. To exercise sagacity.
Shak.