scent

scent1 [ sent ] noun *

1. ) count a particular smell, especially a pleasant one:

an apple with a rich flavor and scent

The sweet fresh scent of newly baked bread filled the house.

a ) count or uncount the smell that an animal or person has, which some animals can follow:

pick up a scent (=start to follow a scent): The bloodhounds picked up the man's scent in the forest.

be on the scent (=be following a smell): The dogs were soon on the fox's scent.

2. ) count or uncount a liquid that people, especially women, put on their skin to make themselves smell nice: PERFUME, FRAGRANCE

3. ) count usually singular a series of facts and signs that help someone discover something:

The police were following a false scent.

the first scent of suspicion

a ) throw/put someone off the scent to do something to try to prevent someone from discovering the truth:

Detectives were thrown off the scent after evidence was destroyed.

the scent of something

a feeling that a new situation is going to happen:

the scent of victory (=the feeling that you are going to be successful): The scent of victory was in the air.

scent

scent 2 [ sent ] verb transitive

1. ) to make something have a particular smell:

The smell of roses scented the room.

2. ) if an animal scents someone or something, it knows they are there because of their smell

3. ) to feel that something is soon going to happen or be done

scent blood

to believe that an opponent is in a weak position and you can get an advantage over them