I. ˈpərˌfyüm, ˈpə̄ˌf-, ˈpəiˌf-, _pə(r)ˈf-, ˌpərˈf-, pə̄ˈf-, pəiˈf- noun
Etymology: Middle French parfum, perfum, probably from Old Provençal perfum, from perfumar to perfume, from per- thoroughly (from Latin) + fumar to smoke, expose to fumes, from Latin fumare to smoke — more at per- , fume
1.
a. obsolete : the fumes generated by burning (as to fumigate a room or to fill it with an agreeable odor)
b. : the scent of something usually sweet-smelling
perfume of violets
a house fragrant with the perfume of freshly baked cookies — June Platt
perfume of the stockyards — Francis Hackett
c. : a distinctive atmosphere or pleasurable quality : aura
the literary perfume … in the grand salons of the nineteenth century — Frederic Morton
2. : a substance that emits a pleasant odor ; especially : a fluid preparation (as one containing essences of flowers, synthetics, and a fixative) used for scenting
Synonyms: see fragrance
II. (ˌ) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷, ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French parfumer, perfumer, probably from Old Provençal perfumar
transitive verb
1.
a. obsolete : fumigate
b. : to fill or impregnate with the pleasantly odorous fumes of a burning substance
2.
a. : to fill or impregnate with an odor (as of flowers) : scent
the heavy odor of the frangipani … perfumes the air — Tom Marvel
b. : to pervade with an aura
subtly to perfume an art nominally concerned with the aspects of earth and sky — Laurence Binyon
intransitive verb
: to emit a sweet odor