mephitic
/mɛˈfɪtɪk/
adjective
Origin
Latin
mephitis — noxious, pestilential exhalation
Overview
Meaning Now
- Foul-smelling; noxious, pestilential, or poisonous in odor.
Literal older meaning
pertaining to a noxious or foul-smelling exhalation
Language path
Latin → Late Latin → English
Earliest form
mephiticus
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term derives from Mephitis, the name of a pre-Roman Italic goddess worshipped in central Italy. She was associated with the sulphurous, noxious vapors found in swamps and volcanic vents. In early modern scientific contexts, the word was frequently applied to 'choked' or stagnant air that was believed to be poisonous to human life.
Evolution
- Latin
mephitis
“a foul-smelling vapor rising from the ground”
Personified as a goddess of noxious odors in some Roman contexts.
- Late Latin
mephiticus
“pertaining to mephitis”
- French
méphitique
“noxious, foul-smelling”
- English, 17th century
mephitic
“having a foul or noxious smell”
Adopted into English from French or directly from Latin.
Connections
Word parts
mephit-
root
foul-smelling vapor
-ic
suffix
pertaining to
Related across languages
French
méphitique
foul-smelling
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Related to mephitic
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.