Scent
/sɛnt/noun
A distinctive smell, especially one that can be detected or followed.
Did you know?English *scent* was shaped through French and ultimately comes from a Latin root connected to “feeling” and “knowing,” which is why it sits right on the edge between physical smell and intuitive detection.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sent-
“to feel, perceive”
Latin
Latin
sentīre
“to feel, notice, perceive”
Latin
Latin
scentire
“to perceive by smell”
Old French
Old French
sentir
“to smell, perceive”
Middle English
English
scent
“smell, odor; also a track or trail”
Modern English
English
scent
“a distinctive smell or odor”