name
Meaning 1
Alternative form of Mefitis.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, alternative
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
mephitis
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/məˈfaɪ.tɪs/
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
noun
Meaning 2
A poisonous or foul-smelling gas, especially as emitted from the earth; an unpleasant smell.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
A dilution of fluids derived from skunks or polecats.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: homeopathy, medicine, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 4
in some classifications: type genus of the subfamily Mephitinae
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: genus Mephitis
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: mammal genus
noun
Meaning 5
a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: malodor, malodour, stench, stink, reek, fetor, foetor
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: smell, odor, odour, olfactory sensation, olfactory perception
Narrower terms: niff, pong
noun
Meaning 6
a poisonous or foul smelling gas emitted from the earth
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: gas
History
Etymology
From Latin mefītis, mephītis, from the name of a Samnite goddess who personified the poisonous gases emitted from swamps and volcanoes.