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Origin and history of fetid

fetid(adj.)

early 15c., from Latin fetidus (commonly foetidus) "stinking," from fetere "have a bad smell, stink." This is perhaps connected with fimus "dung," or with fumus "smoke."

also from early 15c.

Entries linking to fetid

asafetida(n.)

"pungent sap from the roots of several plants native to Persia and Afghanistan," used as a drug, late 14c., from Medieval Latin asa (Latinized from Persian aza "mastic") + foetida, fem. of foetidus "stinking" (see fetid).

fetor(n.)

"offensive smell," mid-15c., from Latin fetor, foetor "stink, stench, bad smell," from fetere "have a bad smell" (see fetid).

foetid(adj.)

see fetid; for spelling, see oe.

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