Before entering fully into the meaning of the term smell, we are going to proceed to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can emphasize that it is a word that derives from Latin, specifically from “olor, oloris”, which is the result of the sum of these two lexical components:
-The verb “olere”, which can be translated as “smell”.
-The suffix “-or”, which is used to indicate “effect” or “result”.
The impression that an effluvium causes on the sense of smell is called odor . The term is also used to name what can generate said impression.
An effluvium is formed by the emission of tiny particles . The bodily sense capable of perceiving these dispersed substances is smell . The smell, in short, is what the sense of smell registers when it comes into contact with an effluvium.
It can be said that smell is a sensation . It is produced by a combination of dust, vapors and gases that the olfactory system captures. There is, therefore, an objective component (volatile particles in the air) that the body processes, although psychological issues also affect the mode of perception.
Among the words that can function as synonyms for smell we find aroma, fragrance, stink, pestilence, aroma, perfume, essence, stench or stench, among others.
It is interesting to know that, according to different scientific studies carried out in practice, human beings have the ability to detect a total of ten basic odors. We are referring to the following: floral, fruity, minty, burnt, rotten, woody, chemical, sweet, citrus and rancid.
When the smell is pleasant, it is often called aroma or fragrance . These concepts are used in the industry dedicated to the production of perfumes, for example. There are perfumes with a fruity aroma, floral aroma, etc.
In the same way, we cannot ignore that there are certain smells that we like because they remind us of past moments or because they offer us sensations that evoke special moments in our lives. This would be the case, for example, of the smell of wet earth, which is also known by the names petrichor or tarabañá, among others.
Likewise, it is common for us to talk about the smell of new books, which many people like. The studies carried out consider that we like this aroma because it reminds us of our childhood, of special moments at school, of when we started the school year excited...
The smell can also be nauseating or disgusting . Pollution often produces odors of this kind, which bother people and can even affect the quality of life.
Aromatherapy is the discipline that is based on the therapeutic use of smells . More specifically, it consists of the use of essential oils from plants, which are made up of aromatic and volatile organic compounds.
Smells can positively or negatively influence human mood. The smell of rose essential oil, for example, contributes to relaxation. The smell of eucalyptus, for its part, is stimulating.