Perfumed

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Definitions

1. Possessing a pleasing fragrance that enhances the sensory experience Adorned with aromatic substances that create an inviting atmosphere Characterized by a delightful scent that captivates the senses
2. Having been treated or covered with a pleasant smell that affects the sense of smell positively
3. Containing or emitting a sweet or agreeable aroma applied to enhance freshness or appeal

Etymology: "Perfumed" is the past participle of "perfume" used as an adjective, so its history is that of the base word plus a simple ending. "Perfume" itself came into English from French "parfumer," meaning to scent or fume with incense, and the earliest sense was closer to the smoke of burning aromatic material than to the bottled liquid we buy today. The "per-" in the word traces back to Latin "per," meaning "through," so the image is of fragrance drifting through the air. The ending "-ed" is the ordinary English suffix that turns a verb into a participle and then an adjective describing something that has been acted on. A perfumed letter, glove or room is one that has had scent applied or worked into it, so the adjective simply describes the result of that action.

Synonyms: fragrant, scented, aromatic, odorous

Antonyms: odorless, unscented, stale