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stench

 - 3 dictionary results

stench

  [stench] ,
Use stench in a Sentence
–noun
1. an offensive smell or odor; stink.
2. a foul quality.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE stenc odor (good or bad); akin to stink

Related forms:
stenchful, adjective

Synonyms:
See odor.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stench
stench   (stěnch)   
n.  

  1. A strong, foul odor; a stink.

  2. A foul quality: the stench of corrupt government.


[Middle English, from Old English stenc, odor.]
Synonyms: These nouns denote a penetrating, objectionable odor: the stench of burning rubber; the fetor of polluted waters; the malodor of diesel fumes; the reek of stale sweat; a stink of decayed flesh.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

stench 
O.E. stenc "a smell" (either pleasant or unpleasant), from P.Gmc. *stankwiz (cf. O.S. stanc, O.H.G. stanch, Ger. stank). Related to stincan "emit a smell" (see stink) as drench is to drink. The notion of "evil smell" predominated from c.1200.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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