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fétide

fetid

adjective feh-TEED Rare

Origin: Latin fetidus, stinking

Also means

foul-smelling

Usage Note

Fétide describes an intensely unpleasant, offensive smell — stronger than malodorant (bad-smelling). It is invariable for gender: une odeur fétide / un gaz fétide. Common collocations include une haleine fétide (fetid breath) and des eaux fétides (stagnant foul water).

Examples

"Une odeur fétide s'échappait de la cave."

Natural Translation

A fetid smell was escaping from the cellar.

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