mephitis

2 definitions found

mephitis - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mephitis \Me*phi"tis\, n. [L. mephitis : cf. F. m['e]phitis.]
     1. Noxious, pestilential, or foul exhalations from
        decomposing substances, filth, or other source.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) A genus of mammals, including the skunks.
        [1913 Webster]

mephitis - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  mephitis
      n 1: a poisonous or foul smelling gas emitted from the earth
      2: a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant [syn:
         malodor, malodour, stench, stink, reek, fetor,
         foetor, mephitis]
      3: in some classifications: type genus of the subfamily
         Mephitinae [syn: Mephitis, genus Mephitis]