smelling salts

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noun (used with a plural verb)

a preparation for smelling, essentially of ammonium carbonate with some agreeable scent, used as a stimulant and restorative.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of smelling salts

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby smelling salts

smell a rat, smeller, smell fishy, smellies, smelling bottle, smelling salts, smell test, smell to high heaven, smell up, smelly, smelt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use smelling salts in a sentence

All, that is, save Nina's ayah, who opportunely produced a bottle of smelling-salts and passed it to the mem-sahib.
The Tigress|Anne Warner
She relapsed into a weak giggle, and Hyacinth stooped for the bottle of smelling-salts, which had rolled under the sofa.
Hyacinth|George A. Birmingham
Oh, she is going to faint, cried dismayed Nathalie, while the mother rushed to the dresser for the smelling salts.
Blue Robin, the Girl Pioneer|Rena I. Halsey
"It's made me positively ill," complained Mrs. Stuart, busy with her smelling-salts.
By Right of Conquest|Arthur Hornblow

Mrs. Carroll, roused from her reading, laid aside her novel and bottle of smelling-salts to take the letter.
The Carroll Girls|Mabel Quiller-Couch

British Dictionary definitions for smelling salts

smelling salts

pl n

a pungent preparation containing crystals of ammonium carbonate that has a stimulant action when sniffed in cases of faintness, headache, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

smelling salts

Origin of smelling salts

Words nearby smelling salts

Words related to smelling salts

How to use smelling salts in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for smelling salts