Fetid Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
🤢
fetid
[ˈfɛtɪd ]
Definition
smelly
Having an unpleasant or offensive odor; stinking.
Synonyms
foul, malodorous, putrid, rank.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| fetid |
Describes an extremely unpleasant smell, often associated with decay or rot, typically used in a formal or literary context.
|
| foul |
Commonly used in everyday speech to describe something that smells very bad, often with a connotation of disgust.
|
| putrid |
Describes something rotten or decomposing, usually with a strong, offensive smell; often used in a vivid or dramatic context.
|
| malodorous |
A formal term often used in scientific, medical, or technical contexts to describe a bad smell.
|
| rank |
Describes a strong, unpleasant smell, and can also imply something is extremely offensive; commonly used in informal speech.
|
Examples of usage
- The fetid smell of rotten eggs filled the room.
- She wrinkled her nose at the fetid stench coming from the garbage can.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- Certain bacteria produce fetid smells when they break down organic matter, especially when it decays.
- Fetid odors can be warning signs; for example, a strong smell in water might indicate contamination.
- Certain animals, like skunks, use foul-smelling sprays as a defense mechanism, highlighting nature's ways of signaling danger.
Literature
- In literature, fetid environments often symbolize decay, corruption, or moral decline, as seen in gothic works.
- Authors use fetid imagery to evoke strong emotions, creating vivid scenes that stick with readers.
- The concept of fetidity appears in Shakespeare's plays, enhancing the atmosphere of dire situations and tragic flaws.
Pop Culture
- In movies and television, characters may comically react to fetid smells, often as a shorthand for bad situations.
- Fetid themes can be found in various horror genres, where bad odors enhance the unsettling environment.
- Popular cartoons often exaggerate fetidity for humor, depicting characters fainting or dramatically reacting to ridiculous smells.
Origin of 'fetid'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Latin 'fetidus,' which means 'stinking' or 'foul-smelling.'
- In Middle English, 'fetid' was used to describe decaying matter and strong bad odors.
- Related words include 'fetor,' meaning an awful smell, showing how the concept has remained in language for centuries.
The word 'fetid' originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word 'fetidus', which means 'stinking'. It has been used to describe foul odors and smells that are offensive to the senses.