Fetid
/ˈfɛt.ɪd/noun
Having a very unpleasant smell.
Did you know?The word 'fetid' is rooted in the Latin 'fetere', which means 'to stink', and has long been associated with decay and corruption in ancient texts.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
fetere
“to stink or emit a foul odor.”
Old French
Old French
fetide
“foul-smelling or putrid.”
Middle English
Middle English
fetid
“having a rank odor or stench.”
Modern English
English
fetid
“characterized by a strong and unpleasant smell.”