Rancid
/ˈrænsɪd/noun
Having an unpleasant smell or taste caused by the chemical decomposition of fats or oils.
Did you know?Rancid ultimately traces back to Latin *rancēre*, meaning “to stink” or “to be rank,” a root that gave English one of its most visceral words for spoiled, decaying matter.
Etymological Timeline
Latin (before 1st century BCE)
Latin
rancēre
“to stink; to be rank or foul”
Late Latin
Latin
rancidus
“stinking; rank; tainted”
Old French
Old French
rancide
“rancid; stale; having a bad smell”
Middle English
English
rancid
“stale, musty, or foul-smelling”
Modern English
English
rancid
“having a bad smell or taste from decay, especially of fats or oils”