MEPHITIS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Mephitis mean? 

• MEPHITIS (noun)
  The noun MEPHITIS has 3 senses:

1. a poisonous or foul smelling gas emitted from the earth

2. a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant

3. in some classifications: type genus of the subfamily Mephitinae

  Familiarity information: MEPHITIS used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MEPHITIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A poisonous or foul smelling gas emitted from the earth

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("mephitis" is a kind of...):

gas (a fluid in the gaseous state having neither independent shape nor volume and being able to expand indefinitely)

Derivation:

mephitic (of noxious stench from atmospheric pollution)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

fetor; foetor; malodor; malodour; mephitis; reek; stench; stink

Hypernyms ("mephitis" is a kind of...):

odor; odour; olfactory perception; olfactory sensation; smell (the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mephitis"):

niff; pong (an unpleasant smell)

Derivation:

mephitic (of noxious stench from atmospheric pollution)

Sense 3

Meaning:

In some classifications: type genus of the subfamily Mephitinae

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

genus Mephitis; Mephitis

Hypernyms ("Mephitis" is a kind of...):

mammal genus (a genus of mammals)

Meronyms (members of "Mephitis"):

Mephitis mephitis; striped skunk (most common and widespread North American skunk)

hooded skunk; Mephitis macroura (of Mexico and southernmost parts of southwestern United States)

Holonyms ("Mephitis" is a member of...):

family Mustelidae; Mustelidae (weasels; polecats; ferrets; minks; fishers; otters; badgers; skunks; wolverines; martens)