mephitis

[ muh-fahy-tis ]

noun

1. (in nontechnical use) a noxious or pestilential exhalation from the earth, as poison gas.
2. any noisome or poisonous stench.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mephitis¹

1700–10; < Latin mephītis, mefītis; compare Oscan Mefit ( eí ) the goddess of such exhalations

Example Sentences

"Mephitis," I gasped, and instantly put several feet more between us.

From Project Gutenberg

Visher (1914:91), however, reported that Spilogale was much commoner than Mephitis in the early part of the century.

From Project Gutenberg

The small mandibular ramus of a musteline referred by Dr. Roth to Mephitis suffocans, does not pertain to this genus and species.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon a woman ka-wate (mephitis) came along with a vase and a gourd for water.

From Project Gutenberg

Mephitis is, however, purely American wherever he comes from.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• smell
• stink