Geosmin
/ˈdʒiːoʊzmɪn/noun
A volatile organic compound responsible for the characteristic earthy smell of soil, especially after rain.
Did you know?Geosmin is produced mainly by soil microbes such as Streptomyces, and human noses can detect it at concentrations of only a few parts per trillion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰéǵʰōm
“Earth or ground; the ancient root behind words connected with soil and humanity”
Ancient Greek
Greek
gē (γῆ)
“Earth or land”
Ancient Greek
Greek
osmē (ὀσμή)
“Smell, scent, or odor”
19th Century
Scientific Greek
geo- + -osme
“Scientific combining forms meaning earth and smell”
1965
English
geosmin
“Name given to the earthy-smelling compound isolated from soil bacteria”
Modern English
English
geosmin
“The compound that creates the familiar earthy aroma of rain-wetted soil”