scent
Definitions
A distinctive, usually pleasant smell
气味，香味
The smell trail left by an animal or person, used in tracking
（动物或人留下的）气味踪迹
To detect by smell; to sense or suspect
嗅出；察觉，感觉到
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedscent really is a sent word: from Latin sentīre (to perceive), via Old French. The silent 'c' was added later by English scribes (perhaps by analogy with 'science'); it was originally spelled 'sent.' To scent is literally to perceive by smell — the most animal, direct form of sensing.
Root sent still carries 33 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.catch a scent闻到气味
- 2.follow the scent追踪气味／踪迹
- 3.faint scent淡淡的香气
- 4.scent of flowers花香
- 5.pick up a scent嗅到气味
Example Sentences
- 1.
The scent of fresh bread filled the kitchen.
- 2.
The hounds quickly picked up the fox's scent.
- 3.
She scented trouble the moment she walked in.
Easily Confused
scent / sent / cent: three homophones (all /sent/). scent = smell (this root). sent = past tense of 'send.' cent = a coin. The silent c is the only thing marking scent on the page.