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Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Etymology== [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle Eng...'
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==Etymology==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] odour, from Anglo-French odur, from [[Latin]] odor; akin to Latin olēre to smell, [[Greek]] ozein to smell, osmē smell, odor
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 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
*2 a : a characteristic or predominant quality : [[flavor]] <the odor of [[sanctity]]>
:b : repute, estimation <in bad odor>
*3 archaic : something that emits a sweet or [[pleasing]] scent : perfume
synonyms see [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Senses#Smell.2C_Taste.2C_and_Touch 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 [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Senses#Smell.2C_Taste.2C_and_Touch 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfume perfumes]. In contrast, malodor, stench, reek, and stink are used specifically to describe [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unpleasant_odor 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.
[[Category: Biology]]
[[Category: Chemistry]]
==Etymology==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] odour, from Anglo-French odur, from [[Latin]] odor; akin to Latin olēre to smell, [[Greek]] ozein to smell, osmē smell, odor
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 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
*2 a : a characteristic or predominant quality : [[flavor]] <the odor of [[sanctity]]>
:b : repute, estimation <in bad odor>
*3 archaic : something that emits a sweet or [[pleasing]] scent : perfume
synonyms see [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Senses#Smell.2C_Taste.2C_and_Touch 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 [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Senses#Smell.2C_Taste.2C_and_Touch 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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfume perfumes]. In contrast, malodor, stench, reek, and stink are used specifically to describe [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unpleasant_odor 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.
[[Category: Biology]]
[[Category: Chemistry]]