odor
UK[ˈəʊdə(r)]US[ˈoʊdər]
n
a smell, especially one that is unpleasant
n
a particular quality or atmosphere that is noticeable
Etymology
The word 'odor' entered English in the late 13th century via Anglo-French and Old French from the Latin noun 'odor', meaning 'smell' or 'scent'. This Latin term is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root h₃ed- ('to smell'), which also gave rise to words like 'olfactory'. The semantic journey is direct, with the Latin 'odor' being a neutral term for any smell, a neutrality largely retained in its early English use. Over time, English usage has increasingly associated 'odor' with unpleasant or distinctive smells, while 'scent' and 'aroma' have taken on more positive connotations, illustrating a process of semantic specialization.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form; it cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes based on its current english spelling.
Examples
the kitchen was filled with the delicious odor of freshly baked bread.
a strong chemical odor was coming from the laboratory.
the scandal left an odor of corruption that lingered for years.