perfume

Everyday

1. A liquid with a nice strong smell that people put on their skin. tree →
2. A pleasant smell, like that of flowers. tree →
3. (verb) To give something a nice smell. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, perfume is sprayed on the wrist or neck; in science, it shows how smells spread through air by diffusion — a smell sprayed in one corner soon reaches the whole room. In safety, perfume is not to drink and can sting eyes; some people are allergic to strong smells. Phrases: «a bottle of perfume», «wear perfume», «the perfume of roses».

Examples

• Mum got a bottle of perfume for her birthday. tree →
• The perfume of the roses filled the garden. tree →
• The smell of the perfume spread across the room. tree →
• Don't spray perfume near your eyes. tree →
• Grandma's perfume smells of lavender. tree →
• Perfume is made from flowers, spices and other things. tree →
• The air was perfumed with honeysuckle. tree →
• Too much perfume can give people a headache. tree →
• Do you not smell the sweet perfume from flower and bush? tree →

Note

Uncountable for the liquid in general («some perfume»), countable for kinds («French perfumes»). Similar: «scent», «fragrance»; men's perfume is often called «aftershave» or «cologne».

In Jewish tradition

It refers to the special incense and holy oil made for the tabernacle by a skilled maker.

Interpretation. The recipe for the incense and the anointing oil was holy and could not be copied for ordinary use. The rabbis listed the spices of the incense in detail.

Examples

• And thou shalt make of it incense, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. (Torah EXO.30.35, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt make it a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. (Torah EXO.30.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (Writings PRO.7.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. (Writings PRO.27.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? (Writings SNG.3.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable for the liquid in general («some perfume»), countable for kinds («French perfumes»). Similar: «scent», «fragrance»; men's perfume is often called «aftershave» or «cologne».