odorifere

Odorifere is an adjective used to describe something that bears or emits a noticeable odor. In English, the standard form is odoriferous; odorifere appears mainly in cross-linguistic usage or in texts that mirror French orthography (odorifère). The term can refer to a wide range of smells, from pleasant fragrances to unpleasant odors.

Etymology: The word comes from Latin odoriferus, from odor “smell” and ferre “to bear.” The related French word odorifère shares the same root, and has influenced some English-language scholarly usage.

Usage and applications: In botany, odoriferous flowers and plants emit volatile compounds to attract pollinators. In chemistry and perfumery, odoriferous substances form the basis of fragrances, with examples including terpenes, esters, and sulfur-containing molecules. In zoology, odoriferous secretions or glands convey information through scent, such as pheromones. The term does not inherently imply a positive or negative smell; context determines whether it is fragrant or fetid.

See also: odorous, fragrant, aromatic, fetid, perfume.