Smell v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smelled Smelt p. pr. & vb. n. Smelling.]
1. To perceive by the olfactory nerves, or organs of smell; to have a sensation of, excited through the nasal organs when affected by the appropriate materials or qualities; to obtain the scent of; as, to smell a rose; to smell perfumes.
2. To detect or perceive, as if by the sense of smell; to scent out; -- often with out. “I smell a device.”
Can you smell him out by that? --Shak.
3. To give heed to. [Obs.]
From that time forward I began to smellthe Word of God, and forsook the school doctors. --Latimer.
To smell a rat, to have a sense of something wrong, not clearly evident; to have reason for suspicion. [Colloq.]
To smell out, to find out by sagacity. [Colloq.]