[syn: Mephitis, genus Mephitis]
The 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]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
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]