mephitis

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) A poisonous or foul-smelling gas, especially as emitted from the earth; an unpleasant smell.
2. (countable, uncountable) A dilution of fluids derived from skunks or polecats.

Synonyms

stench

stink

reek

skunk

🦨

foetor

malodor

fetor

malodour

kakosmia

foul odor

cacosmia

effluvium

Translations

peste

puzzola

🦨

Conepatus humboldti

mofeta

🦨

zorrino

🦨

chingue

🦨

Conepatus semistriatus

mouffette

🦨

Conepatus inca

Mephitis sp.

renardeau

zorrillo

🦨

Stinktier

🦨

puzza

empester

Pronounced as (IPA)

/məˈfaɪ.tɪs/

Etymology

From Latin mefītis, mephītis, from the name of a Samnite goddess who personified the poisonous gases emitted from swamps and volcanoes.