smelling bottle

noun

1. a small bottle or vial for holding smelling salts or perfume.

Word History and Origins

Origin of smelling bottle¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

A small modern engraving of Death presenting a smelling bottle to a fainting butcher with one hand, and with the other fanning him.

From Project Gutenberg

Aunt Sallie settled herself resignedly into her violet cushions, holding her smelling bottle to her nose.

From Project Gutenberg

I met him this morning walking with the step of a philosopher, a smelling bottle in his hand and all his vivacity extinguished.

From Project Gutenberg

The trouble is with the sort of perfumery he uses when he gets excited, just as some people use a smelling bottle, and nobody seems to like the sort Mr. Polecat uses except himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Reach me some bread and milk for the parrot,—fetch my smelling bottle,—go to the saloon for that book I was reading,—and search again for the pocket-handkerchief I mislaid.

From Project Gutenberg