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Olfaction - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Olfaction is the sense of smell, which allows organisms to detect and identify odors through the nose. It plays a key role in taste, memory, and environmental awareness.

olfaction

/ɑlˈfækʃən/ /ɒlˈfækʃən/

Definition:

The sense of smell or the act of smelling.

Synonyms:

smell, scent, aroma, sniffing

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

anosmia, odorlessness

Common Collocations:

sense of olfaction, human olfaction, impaired olfaction, olfactory system

Derivatives:

olfactory, olfactometer

Usage Tips:

Use "olfaction" in scientific or formal contexts to describe the sense of smell.

Common Phrases:

keen olfaction, loss of olfaction, animal olfaction

Etymology:

Derived from Latin "olfactus," past participle of "olfacere," meaning "to smell."

Examples:

  • 1. The dog's olfaction helps it track scents over long distances.
  • 2. Olfaction plays a key role in how we perceive flavors in food.
  • 3. Some animals have a much stronger sense of olfaction than humans.
  • 4. Damage to the nose can impair a person's olfaction temporarily or permanently.

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