Fetidities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The state or quality of emitting a strong, unpleasant odor; characteristics of something foul-smelling; conditions marked by offensive smells
2. The condition of producing a putrid or rotten smell; attributes related to disagreeable scents; situations involving malodorous or stinking traits
3. The property of giving off a repugnant or decayed scent; features associated with nauseating odors; circumstances defined by stinking or foul aromatic qualities

Etymology: "Fetidities" is the plural of "fetidity", a noun meaning a foul or strong unpleasant smell, or the quality of having one. The base word is "fetid", which comes from Latin "fetidus", a derivative of "foetere", to stink. The ending "-ity" is the common English suffix, borrowed from Latin "-itas" through French, that turns an adjective into a noun naming a state or quality, so "fetidity" means roughly "the condition of being fetid." The plural form is used when speaking of several distinct foul smells or several instances of offensive odor, rather than one general quality. Because it is formed in the regular way from an adjective plus "-ity", it is a straightforward coinage with no notable history of its own beyond the parts it is built from.

Synonyms: stench, odor, smell, reek, malodor

Antonyms: fragrance, aroma, scent, perfume, bouquet