mephitic

[prettygoodword]

mephitic - n., foul-smelling, noxious, poisonous.


Originally, of, pertaining to, or resembling mephetis, a noxious or pestilential exhalation from the earth. Or so the dictionaries claim, but then turn around and say that mephitic has been used in English a century longer, since the early 17th century. Whichever way, from Late Latin mephīticus, from Late Latin mephītis or mefītis, from Oscan Mefit(eí), the goddess of such exhalations.

---L.

Comments

[packbat.livejournal.com]

Oh, you could be so snarky with this word. :)

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, indeed you can.

---L.