— perfumeless , adj. — perfumy , adj.
n. /perr"fyoohm, peuhr fyoohm"/ ; v. /peuhr fyoohm", perr"fyoohm/ , n. , v. , perfumed, perfuming .
n.
1. a substance, extract, or preparation for diffusing or imparting an agreeable or attractive smell, esp. a fluid containing fragrant natural oils extracted from flowers, woods, etc., or similar synthetic oils.
2. the scent, odor, or volatile particles emitted by substances that smell agreeable.
v.t.
3. (of substances, flowers, etc.) to impart a pleasant fragrance to.
4. to impregnate with a sweet odor; scent.
[ 1525-35; earlier parfume (n.) parfum, n. deriv. of parfumer (v.) parfumare (mod. profumare ). See PER-, FUME ]
Syn. 1. essence, attar, scent; incense. 2. PERFUME, AROMA, FRAGRANCE all refer to agreeable odors. PERFUME often indicates a strong, rich smell, natural or manufactured: the perfume of flowers. FRAGRANCE is usually applied to fresh, delicate, and delicious odors, esp. from growing things: fragrance of new-mown hay. AROMA is restricted to a somewhat spicy smell: the aroma of coffee.
Ant. 2. stench.