underscent

A scent that is perceptible but less prominent than other scents in a particular environment.

Noun

  1. A scent that is perceptible but less prominent than other scents in a particular environment.
    • 1902, Marie Corelli, “Temporal Power”: A Study in Supremacy, London: Methuen, Chapter 18, p. 256, The under-scent of hidden violets among moss flowed potently upon the quiet air, mingled with strong pine-odours and the...
    • […] below her perfume lingered another perfume, more elusive, more aggressive, a man’s scent. Still staring into her eyes, he deliberately blanked his mind three times; and each time the first picture triggered in his...
    • […] night is when the ground heaves up the distracting odours of burrowed life: catfish and reptiles, and the musk of regeneration in scorched roots. [footnote:] Known as underscents, these odours hover beneath the...

    Coordinate Terms: overscent

Origin

From under- + scent.

Forms

underscents