[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/perfume/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [P](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/p/) / perfume

# perfume

noun (perfume, perfumes); verb (perfume, perfumes, perfumed — less common)

«perfume» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A liquid with a nice strong smell that people put on their skin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#m1)
2. A pleasant smell, like that of flowers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#m2)
3. (verb) To give something a nice smell. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday life, perfume is sprayed on the wrist or neck; in science, it shows how smells spread through air by diffusion — a smell sprayed in one corner soon reaches the whole room. In safety, perfume is not to drink and can sting eyes; some people are allergic to strong smells. Phrases: «a bottle of perfume», «wear perfume», «the perfume of roses».

### Examples

- Mum got a bottle of perfume for her birthday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x1)
- The perfume of the roses filled the garden. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x2)
- The smell of the perfume spread across the room. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x3)
- Don't spray perfume near your eyes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x4)
- Grandma's perfume smells of lavender. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x5)
- Perfume is made from flowers, spices and other things. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x6)
- The air was perfumed with honeysuckle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x7)
- Too much perfume can give people a headache. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x8)
- Do you not smell the sweet perfume from flower and bush? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/#x9)

### Note

Uncountable for the liquid in general («some perfume»), countable for kinds («French perfumes»). Similar: «scent», «fragrance»; men's perfume is often called «aftershave» or «cologne».

## In Jewish tradition

It refers to the special incense and holy oil made for the tabernacle by a skilled maker.

**Interpretation.** The recipe for the incense and the anointing oil was holy and could not be copied for ordinary use. The rabbis listed the spices of the incense in detail.

### Examples

- And thou shalt make of it incense, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. (Torah EXO.30.35, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perfume/#x1)
- And thou shalt make it a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. (Torah EXO.30.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perfume/#x2)
- I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (Writings PRO.7.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perfume/#x3)
- Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. (Writings PRO.27.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perfume/#x4)
- Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? (Writings SNG.3.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perfume/#x5)

### Note

Uncountable for the liquid in general («some perfume»), countable for kinds («French perfumes»). Similar: «scent», «fragrance»; men's perfume is often called «aftershave» or «cologne».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «perfume» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/perfume/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«perfume» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/perfume.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «perfume» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/perfume/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«perfume» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/perfume.html) on Mova free.