Aromatic
/əˈrɒmətɪk/noun
Having a strong, pleasant smell; fragrant.
Did you know?The term 'aromatic' has ancient ties to the sacred use of fragrances in rituals, believed to attract the presence of deities and spirits.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂er-
“to rise, to elevate, often associated with scents and perfumes.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀρωματικός (aromatikos)
“pertaining to spices or fragrant oils used in sacred rites.”
Latin
Latin
aromaticus
“fragrant, pertaining to spices used in medicine or rituals.”
Old French
Old French
aromatique
“having a pleasant fragrance, especially in reference to herbs.”
Modern English
English
aromatic
“describing substances with a strong, pleasant smell, often used in cooking and perfumery.”