olfactory

English

WOTD – 10 November 2008

Etymology

From Latin olfactus (an act of smelling; the sense of smell) +‎ -ory, from olfaciō (to sniff, smell, scent) +‎ -tus (action noun suffix).

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɒlˈfak.tə.ɹi/, /ɒlˈfak.tɹi/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ɑlˈfæk.təɹ.i/, /oʊlˈfæk.təɹ.i/
    • Audio (US):(file)
  • Audio (General Australian):(file)
  • Rhymes: -æktəɹi

Adjective

olfactory (not comparable)

  1. (relational) Concerning the sense of smell.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

olfactory (plural olfactories)

  1. (anatomy, zootomy) Ellipsis of olfactory organ.
  2. (chiefly in the plural) The sense of smell.

References