[scent] n [ME sent, fr. senten] (14c) 1: effluvia from a substance that affect the sense of smell: as a: an odor left by an animal on a surface passed over b: a characteristic or particular odor; esp: one that is agreeable
2. a: power of smelling: sense of smell "a keen ~" b: power of detection: nose "a ~ for heresy"
3: a course of pursuit or discovery "throw one off the ~"
4: inkling, intimation "a ~ of trouble"
5: perfume 2
6: bits of paper dropped in the game of hare and hounds 7: a mixture prepared for use as a lure in hunting or fishing syn see fragrance, smell -- scent.less adj
[2]scent vb [ME senten, fr. MF sentir to feel, smell, fr. L sentire to perceive, feel--more at sense] vt (15c) 1 a: to perceive by the olfactory organs: smell b: to get or have an inkling of "~ trouble"
2: to imbue or fill with odor "~ed the air with perfume" ~ vi 1: to yield an odor of some specified kind "this ~s of sulfur"; also: to bear indication or suggestions
2: to use the nose in seeking or tracking prey