The phrase "smell of" is pronounced /smɛl ʌv/. The first word, "smell" is spelled with an "m" and two "l's" to represent the nasal consonant followed by a short vowel sound. The second word, "of," is spelled with an "o" and "f" to represent the vowel sound and the unvoiced consonant. "Smell of" is commonly used in English to indicate an odor or scent, and is often accompanied by a noun, such as "the smell of fresh bread."
The phrase "smell of" refers to the olfactory perception or the characteristic odor emitted by a particular entity, substance, environment, or concept. It depicts the act of perceiving a scent or the specific olfactory impression that is associated with a given subject. When used in a sentence, the phrase can describe an aroma that emanates from an object or a person, often providing sensory information about its nature, quality, or character.
"Smell of" can also encapsulate the notion of a tangible, discernible scent, typically detected through the sense of smell. It denotes the presence of distinct fragrances, aromas, or odors that are distinguishable due to their unique combination of chemical compounds or components. This phrase can be used to convey a broad range of scents or smells, ranging from pleasant and enticing aromas to foul and unpleasant odors. Additionally, "smell of" can be employed to express the sense of familiarity or association that arises when recognizing the signature scent of a particular object, place, or event. In such cases, it enables the recollection of memories or experiences tied to a specific odor, evoking emotions or triggering nostalgia.
Ultimately, the phrase "smell of" captures the sensory experience of perceiving a distinct scent or odor that is singular to a given entity, substance, or environment, encompassing the inherent qualities, associations, and impacts of the detected aroma.
The word "smell" can be traced back to the Old English word "smellan", which meant "sense the smell of; detect by smell; perceive as a smell". It evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "smelanan" and the Proto-Indo-European root "smel-", which meant "to perceive the odor". Over time, the word "smell" came to be used as both a noun and a verb, referring to the sense of perceiving odors as well as the act of emitting or perceiving odors. The expression "smell of" simply denotes the action or state of emitting a particular odor or being associated with a particular scent.