Osmology
/ɒzˈmɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The scientific study of odors and the sense of smell.
Did you know?The Greek root ὀσμή referred specifically to smell or scent, while ancient theories often treated odors as subtle material emanations that could influence the body and mind.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃ed-
“A proposed Indo-European root associated with perceiving or producing smell; the connection is not fully certain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὀσμή (osmḗ)
“Smell, scent, or odor.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-λογία (-logía)
“Study, account, or systematic discourse.”
19th Century
English
osmology
“The study of odors or the sense of smell.”
Modern English
English
osmology
“The scientific investigation of odors, olfaction, and scent perception.”