Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Smel(l, n. Also: smelle. [ME and e.m.E. smel (a1175), smell (c1400), related to Smel(l,v.] Odour, perfume, aroma; stench. Also proverb. and fig. a1400 Leg. S. xli 7.
Of his odoure thru the smel tha ryse agane that deid can fel c1420 Wynt. i 722 (W).
Withoutin meit bot … the smell [R. savorand off, C. saworande of] of ane apill faire c1420 Wynt. iv 1003.
The fowlis wyld and bestis fell That couth off karyowne fele the smelle a1500 Henr. Fab. 1328.
Sweit wes the smell of flouris a1500 K. Hart 401.
So sweit ane smell as straik vnto his hart Quhen that he saw dame Plesance c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 33.
Fragrant, all full of fresche odour fynest of smell 1513 Doug. v xi 95.
Considir of hir bewte syngnys dyvyne … Quhat sweit savour and smel from hir spryngis 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 143 (Ruddim.).
Halesum of smel, as ony spicery 1549 Compl. 37/13.
I past to the … feildis … to resaue the sueit fragrant smel … of hoilsum balmy flouris c1552 Lynd. Mon. 6155.
Thay sall feill sic ane smell Surmountyng far the fleure of erthly flowris 1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 67.
The smell of auld butter wes feld in hir hous 1650 Kingarth Par. Rec. 21.
Quhen she came home … she hade such a wyld smell that none could come neire herproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1472.
The clink of my silver may staik for the smel of your rostfig. a1500 Henr. Orph. 25.
In Grece ilk lord and worthy king Off forebearis thay tuke tarage and smell