Perfumed

/ˈpɜːrfjuːmd/ adjective

Definition

Scented with or having a pleasant fragrance applied to something.

Etymology

From Old French 'perfum,' from 'par-' (through) and 'fum' (smoke). Perfume originally meant smoke or vapor from burning incense, and the meaning evolved to include any pleasant scent.

Kelly Says

Perfume literally means 'through smoke' because ancient Egyptians and Romans burned incense and thought the fragrant smoke connected them to the gods. The scent-as-divine idea stuck around for thousands of years!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Perfume was historically gendered feminine and associated with seduction, luxury, and superficiality in patriarchal discourse; masculine toiletries were reframed as 'cologne' or 'aftershave' to avoid feminization.

Inclusive Usage

Use descriptively without gendered assumptions; acknowledge that fragrance use spans all genders and cultures.

Inclusive Alternatives

["scented","fragranced"]

Related Words

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