mephitic

Definition

Foul-smelling or noxious, particularly of a gas or atmosphere.

Etymology

From Latin mephīticus, from mephītis; compare French méphitique.

Example Sentences

• ""I could have borne the sight of his crutch," said she, "but the crutch and the nephew together really oppress me like a mephitic vapour.""
• "It is impossible to convey, in words, any idea of the hideous phantasmagoria of shifting limbs and faces which moved through the evil-smelling twilight of this terrible prison-house. Callot might have drawn it, Dante might have suggested it, but a minute attempt to describe its horrors would but disgust. There are depths in humanity which one cannot explore, as there are mephitic caverns into which one dare not penetrate."
• "From this crawling flapping mass of obscene reptilian life came the shocking clamor which filled the air and the mephitic, horrible, musty odor which turned us sick."

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