Reeking Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐คข
reeking
[หriห.kษชล ]
Definition
smell, unpleasant
Reeking refers to a strong, unpleasant odor that is often overwhelming and pungent. This term is typically used to describe something that emits a bad smell, such as garbage or a spoiled food item.
Synonyms
foul, malodorous, smelly, stinking.
Examples of usage
- The kitchen was reeking of burnt food.
- After the storm, the flooded area was reeking with the smell of decay.
- He opened the door to a reeking room full of trash.
- The fish left out in the sun was reeking by the time I found it.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Literature
- Many classic novels, like 'Moby Dick', use 'reeking' to evoke the overpowering smell of the ocean and whaling.
- Shakespeare often described battlefields as 'reeking' landscapes, emphasizing the tragic loss of life and the chaos of war.
- The term has appeared frequently in poetry to heighten sensory experience and create vivid imagery.
Science
- Reeking smells are often due to volatile organic compounds, which can be harmful and are found in things like spoiled food.
- Our sense of smell can detect certain odors in concentrations as low as parts per trillion, making 'reeking' effective in alerting us to danger.
- Various animals have heightened olfactory abilities, allowing them to detect 'reeking' smells that humans might not notice.
Cultural References
- In many cultures, foul smells are often linked to evil or bad omens, influencing how characters are portrayed in stories.
- Some comedy shows use the concept of 'reeking' to create humor, often referencing smelly situations in absurd ways.
- In movies, characters are sometimes shown reacting dramatically to 'reeking' odors, amplifying comedic or horror effects.
Psychology
- Strong smells can evoke memories and emotions, sometimes labeled as triggers; often linked to feelings tied to the 'reeking' odors of the past.
- Disgust responses relevant to 'reeking' odors are deeply rooted in human psychology, often serving to protect us from potential dangers.
- Studies show that unpleasant smells can affect mood and social interactions, demonstrating how impactful a 'reeking' smell can be in a social context.
Origin of 'reeking'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'reeking' comes from the Old English 'recan', which means 'to emit vapor or odor'.
- Over the centuries, it has retained its connection to strong smells, often related to unpleasant odors.
- In literature, it has been used to describe everything from foul environments to strong emotions.
The word 'reeking' originates from the Old English term 'reacan', which means 'to emit smoke or vapor'. Its earlier forms were related to the sense of producing a scent or odor. The evolution of the word's meaning has shifted towards a more negative connotation, primarily describing strong, unpleasant smells. The transition likely reflects a broader linguistic tendency to associate certain sensory experiences with emotional responses, particularly in relation to disagreeable odors. By the late Middle Ages, the word had developed its modern usage to denote not just any smell, but specifically one that is offensive or overpowering.