The word "smelled around" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /smɛld əˈraʊnd/. The word is comprised of two main phonetic sounds, the first being the /smɛld/ sound, which is a past tense form of the verb smell, and the second being /əˈraʊnd/, which refers to the direction of the smelling itself. Together, these sounds make up the word "smelled around", which can be used to describe the act of searching or investigating the scent of something.
There is no exact dictionary definition of the phrase "smelled around." However, if we break down the components of the phrase, we can infer a possible meaning.
The word "smelled" is the past tense form of the verb "smell," which refers to the act of perceiving odors through the sense of smell. It involves using the nose to detect scents or fragrances present in the environment.
The word "around" typically denotes a general area or vicinity. It suggests moving or exploring within a particular region or space, rather than indicating a specific location.
Combining these two elements, "smelled around" could imply the act of investigating or exploring an area or surroundings through the sense of smell. It could suggest, for example, a person purposefully inhaling and examining scents in different areas to identify or locate something. This could apply to various scenarios, such as a detective searching for clues, a chef assessing ingredients, or an animal tracking a scent trail.
Although "smelled around" is not a standard phrase found in dictionaries, its meaning can be deduced based on the definitions of the individual words it comprises.
The phrase "smelled around" does not have a specific etymology of its own, as it is a combination of two separate words.
The word "smell" comes from Old English "smellan", which means "to perceive by the sense of smell" or "to emit an odor". It has roots in Germanic languages and can be traced back to Proto-Indo-European.
The term "around" is derived from Middle English "a-", which means "in a specified place or direction" and "round", meaning "in a circular manner" or "on all sides". It has Germanic origins and can be traced back to Old English.
When these two words are combined, "smelled around" refers to the action of using the sense of smell to investigate or explore an area thoroughly.