n. & v.
n. 1 a distinctive, esp. pleasant, smell (the scent of hay). 2 a a scent trail left by an animal perceptible to hounds etc. b clues etc. that can be followed like a scent trail (lost the scent in Paris). c the power of detecting or distinguishing smells etc. or of discovering things (some dogs have little scent; the scent for talent). 3 Brit. = PERFUME 2. 4 a trail laid in a paper-chase.
v. 1 tr. a discern by scent (the dog scented game). b sense the presence of (scent treachery). 2 tr. make fragrant or foul-smelling. 3 tr. (as scented adj.) having esp. a pleasant smell (scented soap). 4 intr. exercise the sense of smell (goes scenting about). 5 tr. apply the sense of smell to (scented the air). false scent 1 a scent trail laid to deceive. 2 false clues etc. intended to deflect pursuers. on the scent having a clue. put (or throw) off the scent deceive by false clues etc. scent-bag a bag of aniseed etc. used to lay a trail in drag-hunting. scent-gland (or -organ) a gland in some animals secreting musk, civet, etc. scent out discover by smelling or searching. scentless adj.
[ ME sent f. OF sentir perceive, smell, f. L sentire; -c- (17th c.) unexpl. ]