mephitis

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me·phi·tis

M0223200 (mə-fī′tĭs)n.1. An offensive smell; a stench.2. A poisonous or foul-smelling gas emitted from the earth.

[Latin mefītis, mephītis.]

me·phit′ic (-fĭt′ĭk) adj.me·phit′i·cal·ly adv.

(məˈfaɪtɪs) n (Environmental Science) a gaseous discharge, esp from the earth, with a foul or poisonous smell

(məˈfaɪ tɪs)

n. 1. a noxious exhalation from the earth, as poison gas. 2. any foul or poisonous stench. [1700–10; < Latin mephītis]

a rank or foul smell, especially one rising from the earth, as from a swamp. — mephitic, mephitical, adj.See also: Odors

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	mephitis - a poisonous or foul smelling gas emitted from the earthgas - a fluid in the gaseous state having neither independent shape nor volume and being able to expand indefinitely
	2.	mephitis - a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasantfetor, foetor, malodor, malodour, reek, stench, stinkodour, olfactory perception, olfactory sensation, smell, odor - the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form; "she loved the smell of roses"niff, pong - an unpleasant smell
	3.	Mephitis - in some classifications: type genus of the subfamily Mephitinaegenus Mephitismammal genus - a genus of mammalsfamily Mustelidae, Mustelidae - weasels; polecats; ferrets; minks; fishers; otters; badgers; skunks; wolverines; martensMephitis mephitis, striped skunk - most common and widespread North American skunkhooded skunk, Mephitis macroura - of Mexico and southernmost parts of southwestern United States