I.pres. subj. olat, Afran. ap. Non. 147, 2: “olant,” Plaut. Poen. 1, 2, 56; id. Most. 1. 3, 121; Pompon. ap. Non. 147, 5). v. n. and a. [root od-; cf. Gr. ὄζω; v. odor], to smell (class.; cf. odoro, fragro).
I. To emit a smell, to smell of any thing.
A. Lit., constr. absol. or with acc., less freq. with abl. of that of which any thing smells: “quid (jura) olant, nescias, nisi id unum, male ut olere intellegas,” Plaut. Most. 1, 3, 120 sq.; id. Truc. 2, 4, 3: rosa recens a longinquo olet, sicca propius, Plin. 21, 7, 18, § 37: “olent, salsa sunt, ut tangere non velis,” Plaut. Poen. 1, 2, 35: “mulieres ideo bene olere, quia nihil olebant, videbantur,” Cic. Att. 2, 1, 1; cf. Mart. 2, 12: “hesperis noctu magis olet,” Plin. 21, 7, 18, § 39: “ceram crocum olere,” of wax, Cic. de Or. 3, 25, 99: “olet unguenta,” Ter. Ad. 1, 2, 37: “unguenta exotica,” Plaut. Most. 1, 1, 41: “vina fere dulces oluerunt mane Camenae,” Hor. Ep. 1, 19, 5.— With abl.: “cur nardo flammae non oluere meae?” Prop. 5, 7, 32: “Arabo rore,” Ov. H. 15, 76: “sulphure,” id. M. 5, 405.—In a bad sense: “cui os oleat,” i. e. who has a foul breath, Dig. 21, 1, 12; cf. Mart. 12, 87.—
B. Trop., to smell of, savor of any thing; to indicate, betray any thing: quid igitur? quid olet? responde! Pen. Furtum, scortum, prandium, Plaut. Men. 1, 2, 60: “nihil olere peregrinum,” to savor of, betray, Cic. de Or. 3, 12, 44: “nihil ex Academiā,” id. N. D. 1, 26, 72: “malitiam,” id. Rosc. Com. 7, 20: “verba alumnum olent,” betray, Quint. 8, 1, 3.—
II. To betray itself or be observed by its smell: “aurum huic olet,” i. e. he smells out, observes that I have money, Plaut. Aul. 2, 2, 39: “non olet, unde sit, quod dicitur cum illis?” don't you perceive whence it comes? Cic. Or. 45, 154.—Hence, ŏlens , entis, P. a., smelling, odorous (mostly poet.).
A. Sweet-smelling, fragrant, odoriferous: “rami olentes,” Verg. G. 1, 188: “serpylla,” Verg. G. 4, 30: “olentia pascua,” Ov. A. A. 1, 95: “mentae,” id. M. 10, 729: “Hymettus,” Stat. Th. 12, 622.—
B. Lit., Stinking, foul, rank: “leno,” Plaut. Men. 5, 2, 111: “maritus (i. e. hircus),” Hor. C. 1, 17, 7: “immundus olentia sudor Membra sequebatur,” Verg. G. 3, 564: “Medi ora,” id. ib. 2, 134: “fornix,” Hor. S. 1, 2, 30: “stagna Palici, i. e. olentia sulphure,” Ov. P. 2, 10, 25: “agri (from dead bodies),” Luc. 7, 821.—
2. Trop.: “quaedam,” musty, Tac. Or. 22 fin.
