Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Scent
Scent, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scented; p. pr. & vb. n. Scenting.] [Originally sent, fr. F. sentir to feel, to smell. See Sense.] 1. To perceive by the olfactory organs; to smell; as, to scent game, as a hound does.
Methinks I scent the morning air. Shak.
2. To imbue or fill with odor; to perfume.
Balm from a silver box distilled around, Shall all bedew the roots, and scent the sacred ground. Dryden.
Scent, v. i. 1. To have a smell. [Obs.]
Thunderbolts . . . do scent strongly of brimstone. Holland.
2. To hunt animals by means of the sense of smell.
Scent, n. 1. That which, issuing from a body, affects the olfactory organs of animals; odor; smell; as, the scent of an orange, or of a rose; the scent of musk.
With lavish hand diffuses scents ambrosial. Prior.
2. Specifically, the odor left by an animal on the ground in passing over it; as, dogs find or lose the scent; hence, course of pursuit; track of discovery.
He gained the observations of innumerable ages, and traveled upon the same scent into Ethiopia. Sir W. Temple.
3. The power of smelling; the sense of smell; as, a hound of nice scent; to divert the scent. I. Watts.