smell (redirected from smelt a rat)

smell (smel) olfaction.

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smell (sml)

v.

To perceive the scent of something by means of the olfactory nerves.

n.

The sense by which odors are perceived; the olfactory sense.

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smell,

n a distinguishable odor released by a substance and recognized by the body's olfactory system.

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smell,

n the special sense that enables odors to be perceived through the stimulation of the olfactory nerves.

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smell

1. an odor.

2. the sense that enables an animal to perceive odors. The sense of smell depends on the stimulation of sense organs in the nose by small particles carried in inhaled air. It is important not only for the detection of odors, but also for the enjoyment of food. Flavor is a blend of taste and smell. Taste registers only four qualities: salt, sour, bitter and sweet; other qualities of flavor depend on smell. The organs of smell are small patches of special (olfactory) cells in the nasal mucosa. One patch is located in each of the two main compartments of the back of the nose. The olfactory cells are connected to the brain by the first cranial (olfactory) nerve.

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abnormal smell

see odor, taint.

organ of smell

includes the olfactory sense organs, olfactory nerves, and the nerve cells of the olfactory bulb of the brain.