WORD FOR THE DAY: MEPHITIS

2000 Most Challenging and Obscure Words | October 5, 2016 | Norman Schur

[Louis Foxwell]

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In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".

MEPHITIS [meh FYE tis]

hear it pronounced

noun

This is the term for a noxious emanation from the earth, such as a poison gas, but the word is also applied to something less deadly, like any foul, noisome stench, even if not actually poisonous.

The adjective is mephitic (muh FIT ik), describing any offensive odor, noxious or not.

Exposure to mephitic exhalations are to be avoided; they may or may not be poisonous but they certainly are exceedingly offensive.

Swamps give off mephitic odors. Living within smelling range of the mephitic emanations from certain industrial operations, like oil refineries, can be unhealthful, and is undoubtedly unpleasant.

it is often not worthwhile putting up with the mephitic odors of a compost pile, despite its value as fertilizer.

Mephitis was taken over as is from Latin; mephitic from Late Latin mephiticus. Appropriately enough, mephitine (see apitrine) means "pertaining to skunks."

[mikrofon]

Barack Husstain Obama suffers from a terminal case of I/my/mephitis …

[Louis Foxwell]

[ViLaLuz]

Mrs. Clinton’s mephitic video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DlkxQMxJmEU