Foetidly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner characterized by a strong, offensive, and unpleasant smell often associated with decay or rot
2. Exhibiting a foul and repugnant odor typical of spoiled or decomposing substances
3. Describing an action or state marked by emitting a disagreeable and nauseating scent indicative of putrefaction

Etymology: "Foetidly" is simply "foetid" with the adverbial ending "-ly" added, and the adjective has a long pedigree. It comes from Latin "foetidus", formed from "foetere", "to stink", which is also the root of "fetid", the spelling more common in American English. The "oe" in "foetid" reflects the Latin spelling, and the form arrived in English through the Latin-based vocabulary of the late Middle Ages and early modern period. The adverb itself is a transparent formation: an adjective plus "-ly", producing a sense of doing something in a foul-smelling manner or in a way that gives off a stench. Because the base word is an ordinary English adjective, no separate story attaches to the adverb beyond that ordinary suffixing.

Synonyms: stinkily, foully, malodorously, badly, putridly

Antonyms: pleasantly, sweetly, fragrantly, freshly, aromatically