stench

Definition

a strong foul smell; a stink.

Etymology

From Middle English stench, from Old English stenċ (“stench, odor, fragrance”), from Proto-Germanic *stankwiz (“smell, fragrance, odor”), from Proto-Indo-European *stengʷ- (“to push, thrust”). Cognate with Dutch stank (“stench, odor”), German Stank, Gestank (“stench, odor, smell”), Danish stank (“stench”), Swedish stank (“stench”), Icelandic stækja (“stench”).

Example Sentences

• "the stench of political corruption"
• "Black bulls, and bearded goats on altars lie; / And clouds of ſav'ry ſtench involve the ſky."

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