First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
fetid
adjective fet·id \ˈfe-təd, especially British ˈfē-tid\
: having a strong, unpleasant smell
Full Definition of FETID
: having a heavy offensive smell <a fetid swamp>
— fet·id·ly adverb
— fet·id·ness noun
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Origin of FETID
Middle English, from Latin foetidus, from foetēre to stink
Related to FETID
Synonym Discussion of FETID
malodorous, stinking, fetid, noisome, putrid, rank, fusty, musty mean bad-smelling. malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive <malodorous fertilizers>. stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting <prisoners were held in stinking cells> <the fetid odor of skunk cabbage>. noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive <a stagnant, noisome sewer>. putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter <the putrid smell of rotting fish>. rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell <rank cigar smoke>. fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age <a fusty attic> <the musty odor of a damp cellar>.
Medical Dictionary
fetid
adjective fet·id
Medical Definition of FETID
: having a heavy offensive smell
Variants of FETID
fet·id also foet·id \ˈfet-əd, especially British ˈfē-tid\
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