CultureJuly 16, 2026

olfaction

/ɒlˈfækʃən/

Definition

The physiological sense or faculty of smell.

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'olfactus', the past participle of 'olfacere' (to smell), which combines 'olere' (to emit a smell) and 'facere' (to make). It entered English in the 17th century to describe the formal biological process of perceiving odors.

In the news

In the article, the term is used to explain that a diminished ability to smell can serve as an early warning sign or biomarker for declining neurological health. Researchers are highlighting this connection to advocate for more routine smell testing in medical diagnostics.

Washington Post. . Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” challenged the boundaries of pop culture and sparked conversations about race, Black womanhood and identity. It’s also one of the 25 most influential works of American culture. See the rest: https://wapo.st/45b4ue1

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