mephitic
Adjective: 1. Having a foul, poisonous, or pestilential smell; noxious: Describes an odor that is not only unpleasant but also considered harmful, as if from a poisonous vapor or gas. 2. Pertaining to or resembling mephitis (a noxious or foul exhalation from the earth): Relating to a foul-smelling, often poisonous, atmospheric condition.
The word "mephitic" is a formal and literary adjective used to describe smells that are extremely foul and potentially dangerous. It is stronger than simply "stinky" or "bad-smelling," implying a stench associated with poison, decay, or pollution. It is often used in scientific, historical, or descriptive literary contexts.
- The explorers were driven back by the mephitic air emanating from the volcanic fissure.
- In the 19th century, the mephitic odors of the untreated sewers were believed to spread disease.
- They opened the ancient tomb and were met with a mephitic blast of stale, poisonous gas.
- Figurative Use: Can be used metaphorically to describe something morally or socially corrupting.
- The play was a satire on the mephitic influence of greed on politics.
- Mephitis (n): 1. A noxious or foul exhalation from the earth, especially from volcanic areas or decaying organic matter. 2. (Capitalized) The genus name for skunks.
- Mephitically (adv): In a mephitic manner.
- Noxious: Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.
- Pestilential: Causing or likely to cause epidemic disease; foul-smelling.
- Putrid: Decaying and emitting a foul smell.
- Fetid: Smelling extremely unpleasant.
- Malodorous: Having an unpleasant smell.
- Fragrant: Having a pleasant, sweet smell.
- Aromatic: Having a strong, pleasant smell.
- Redolent: Smelling strongly of something pleasant.
Note: "Mephitic" itself is not commonly used in standard idioms. However, it is the root of related descriptive phrases. - Mephitic vapor/fumes/gas: A standard collocation describing the source of the smell. - The laboratory accident released mephitic fumes that required immediate evacuation.
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of noxious stench from atmospheric pollution
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