redolent

English

WOTD – 20 January 2008    

Etymology

First attested in 1400. From French redolent, from Latin redolentem, present participle of redoleō (“I emit a scent”), from re- + oleō (“I smell”).

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈrɛd.əl.ənt/, /ˈrɛd.əʊ.lənt/, X-SAMPA: /"rEd.@l.@nt/, /"rEd.@U.l@nt/
• (US) IPA: /ˈrɛd.əl.ənt/, X-SAMPA: /"rEd.@l.@nt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

redolent (comparative more redolent, superlative most redolent)

1. fragrant or aromatic; having a sweet scent
2. having the smell of the article in question.
   • 1861, Francis Colburn Adams, An Outcast, chapter XXXII:

     His breath is already redolent of whiskey.

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses, Episode 16

     Stephen, that is when the accosting figure came to close quarters, though he was not in an over sober state himself recognised Corley's breath redolent of rotten cornjuice.

3. (idiomatic) suggestive or reminiscent
   • 1919, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, A vision

     But forth from sweat-shops, tenement and prison
     Wailed minor protests, redolent with pain.

Derived terms

• redolently

Synonyms

• (fragrant or aromatic): aromatic, fragrant
• (having the smell of): reeking, smelling
• (suggestive or reminiscent): reminiscent, suggestive

Translations

fragrant or aromatic

• Dutch: geurig (nl), welriekend (nl)
• Persian: خوشبو (fa) (xošbu)

• Polish: pachnący m
• Spanish: aromático (es)

having a smell

• Dutch: riekend (nl)

• Polish: pachnący m

suggestive or reminiscent

• Dutch: doen denken aan (nl)
• Polish: przywołujący m

• Spanish: redolente (es)

Related terms

• redolence
• redolency

Anagrams

• rondelet

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Latin

Verb

redolent

1. third-person plural present active indicative of redoleō