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Glite Dictionary
olfactory modality

olfactory modality

8.3
The sense that lets people smell and tell different scents apart
  • noun
  • /ɒlˈfæktəri məˈdælɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : modalidad olfativa
  • The olfactory modality allows us to enjoy the aroma of fresh coffee.

Examples

  • The olfactory modality allows humans and animals to detect and distinguish a wide variety of scents.

  • Damage to the olfactory modality can result in a reduced or lost sense of smell.

  • Researchers studied how age affects the olfactory modality in elderly participants.

  • Different olfactory modalities can evoke strong memories.

  • The olfactory modality enables individuals to perceive the distinct scents of flowers in a garden.

  • Humans rely on their olfactory modality to identify different flavors when tasting food.

  • Damage to the olfactory modality can significantly affect a person's ability to enjoy meals.

Synonyms

smell
vsolfactory modality
95 1.0

The ability to notice and recognize scents with the nose

is a formal sensory faculty phrase rather than everyday wording
sense of smell
vsolfactory modality
27 2.8

The ability to notice and tell scents apart with the nose

is a broader sensory concept not limited to a single pathway
olfaction
vsolfactory modality
1 8.4

The sense that lets you smell and tell smells apart

is the broader sensory faculty phrased in general terms

Surface Forms

olfactory modality singular
olfactory modalities plural

Morphology

olfactory + modality

The meaning is directly compositional: 'olfactory' = related to smell and 'modality' = a sensory channel or manner, so together they denote the sensory channel of smell. Although somewhat technical in register, the constituents transparently combine and similar constructions exist cross‑linguistically, so a learner who knows both words can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Olfactory modality comes from the parts olfactory (meaning 'related to smell') and modality (meaning 'a way'). So the phrase literally pictures the body's 'way' of sensing scents, which is why it means 'the sense of smell'.