Rancidity
/rænˈsɪd.ɪ.ti/noun
The state or quality of having become stale, rotten, or unpleasantly sour, especially from the breakdown of fats.
Did you know?Rancidity comes from the same ancient root as words for “rank” and “rancid,” tied to the idea of something rotting, smelling, or growing foul over time—not magic, but a very real linguistic decay spell.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*srew-
“to leak, ooze; to flow”
Latin
Latin
rancēre
“to be rank, to stink, to grow foul”
Late Latin
Latin
rancidus
“stale, rotten, foul-smelling”
Old French
Old French
rancid(e)
“rancid, stale, foul”
Early Modern English
English
rancid
“stale or rotten, especially of fats”
18th Century
English
rancidity
“the condition of being rancid”