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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, v. [ME and e.m.E. smelle(n (a1200), smulle(n (c1200), smel (Cursor M.), unrecorded in OE.]

1. tr. To perceive, apprehend a smell; to smell (a plant). a1500 Seven S. 731.
Of ane herbe … he feld … sa fragrant … That [etc.] … Ane lytill efter he smellit ane nothire c1552 Lynd. Mon. 134.
I ressauit confort naturall … Smelling the holsum herbis medicinall 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5668.
He pullit the herb … And … the sawer thairof did smell

2. fig. To perceive, discern or comprehend as if by smell; to detect, suspect, divine. 1569–70 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 651/1.
When I sall haif opportunyte to speik with your ladyship ye sall vnderstand what I smell of the warld 1584 Calderwood IV 134.
Christ, smelling the pridefull ambitioun that was likelie to enter among his apostles [etc.] c1590 J. Stewart 98/191.
I neuir smeld sic luiflie recompance 1594 Charteris Wall. Pref. I72.
I haif insert ane pairt of the said fourtene chapter in Latine, smelland the phrase of thay dayis 1614 Melrose P. 182.
I … smellit that he wald neuir geiv over that hous to be torterit 1630 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 255.
I think you to nosvyse that has smellid your fathers avarice and falsety so far aff 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 12.
He smeled I was a Calvinist 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 91. 1690 Leven & Melv. P. 391.
I evidently smell wearying of your lordship by some and jealousie in others and drawing up, with some who are none of your friends

3. intr. To give off or exhale an odour. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 514.
The morow myld wes … and the meid smellit 1513 Doug. i vi 186.
Ane hundreth altaris … smellyng sweit with fresch garlandis of flowris a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 41 (L).
Euerie blume … In Mayis cullour cled … Sum drapping Of balmie liquor sweit, Destelling and smelling Throw Phebus helsum heit 1604-31 Craig ii 156.
Both moli and the balme shall smell 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 480.
A temple … Whose altars … With cassia, myrrhe, and cynamome do smell

4. fig. To appear in a particular fashion; to give a particular impression, esp. of something; to suggest, hint, indicate.(1) 1513 Doug. vii Prol. 163.
Thys proloug smellis new cum furth of hell 1567 G. Ball. 172.
Ane sacrifice Christ anis, thairfoir, Offerit to God, quhilk smellit best 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 121.
Make all thine actions to smell weill in his nose(2) 1565 Gathering of the Halie Signes 7b.
Vther vicis … quhairin all men ar fallin smelling of the lomp corruptit in Adam 1558-66 Knox I 48.
He smelled of the new doctrin 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii 668.
The law … Of ouir greit arrogance dois smell a1585 Polwart Flyt. 685 (T).
Thy reasonis sawres of reik … Thy sentences of swit richt sweitlie smellis 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 196/8.
It becummis best … euerie aage to smell of the auin qualitie 1611 Reg. Panmure I xcii.
And that in the perambulatione betuix Schir Petir … and the abot and conuent of Arbrothok [etc.] … thear is yit ane aker of land quhilk does swmquhat smel of this matter, quhilk is yit callit the Monkes Aker 1623 Perth Kirk S. MS 8 Sept.
Going silent at midnicht to the watter and in bringing thairof … to wasch Andro Duncaneis bairne quhilk smellis of socerie 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1675) i 341.
The way, that is … compartner with the smoke of this fat world … smelleth strong of a foul and false way c1650 Spalding II 225.
Quhilkis seuerall places of meiting smellit of miscontentment — 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 431.
Sic solistatioun … smellis, vnfenȝeitlie, To verray percialytie