Odor
Etymology
Middle English odour, from Anglo-French odur, from Latin odor; akin to Latin olēre to smell, Greek ozein to smell, osmē smell, odor
- Date: 13th century
Definitions
- 1 a : a quality of something that stimulates the olfactory organ : scent
- b : a sensation resulting from adequate stimulation of the olfactory organ : smell
- b : repute, estimation <in bad odor>
- 3 archaic : something that emits a sweet or pleasing scent : perfume
synonyms see smell
Description
An odor or odour (see spelling differences) is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction. Odors are also called scents, which can refer to both pleasant and unpleasant odors. The terms fragrance, scent, and aroma are used primarily by the food and cosmetic industry to describe a pleasant odor, and are sometimes used to refer to perfumes. In contrast, malodor, stench, reek, and stink are used specifically to describe unpleasant odors.
Terminology
In the United Kingdom, "odour" refers to scents in general. In the US, "odor" has a more negative connotation; "scent" or "aroma" are used for pleasant smells.
The widest range of odors consists of organic compounds, although some inorganic substances, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, are also odorants. The perception of an odor effect is a two-step process. First, there is the physiological part; the detection of stimuli by receptors in the nose. The stimuli are processed by the region of the human brain which is responsible for olfaction. Because of this, an objective and analytical measure of odor is impossible. While odor feelings are very personal perceptions, individual reactions are related to gender, age, state of health, and private affectations. Common odors that people are used to, such as their own body odor, are less noticeable to individuals than external or uncommon odors.
For most people, the process of smelling gives little information concerning the ingredients of a substance. It only offers information related to the emotional impact. Experienced people, however, such as flavorists and perfumers, can pick out individual chemicals in complex mixes through smell alone.
