olfaction

/ɔl'fækʃn/

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Word: Olfaction

Definition:
Olfaction is a noun that refers to the sense of smell. It is the ability of our nose to detect and distinguish different scents or odors.

Usage Instructions:

• Basic Use: You can use "olfaction" when talking about the sense of smell, especially in scientific or formal contexts. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
• Example Sentence: "Dogs have a much stronger olfaction than humans, allowing them to detect scents from far away."

Advanced Usage:

• In scientific studies, you might hear olfaction discussed in relation to how animals or humans perceive different smells, or how certain smells can trigger memories or emotions.

Word Variants:

• Olfactory (adjective): This word is used to describe anything related to the sense of smell.
  • Example: "The olfactory nerves send signals from the nose to the brain."

Different Meanings:

• Generally, "olfaction" specifically refers to the sense of smell, so it doesn't have multiple meanings like some other words might.

Synonyms:

• Smell
• Scent
• Aroma (often used when referring to pleasant smells)
• Fragrance

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "olfaction," but you might come across phrases related to smell, such as:
  • "To have a nose for something" (meaning to be good at detecting or understanding things, often used in a figurative sense).
  • "To smell a rat" (meaning to sense that something is wrong or suspicious).

Summary:

To summarize, olfaction is an important biological function that allows us to experience and interpret the world through smell.

Academic

Noun

1. the faculty that enables us to distinguish scents

Synonyms

• smell
• sense of smell
• olfactory modality