I. ˈstiŋk intransitive verb
( stank ˈstaŋk, -taiŋk ; or stunk ˈstəŋk ; stunk ; stinking ; stinks )
Etymology: Middle English stinken, from Old English stincan to stink, emit a good or bad smell; akin to Middle Dutch stinken to stink, Old High German stinkan to emit a good or bad smell, and probably to Old Norse stökkva to leap, Gothic stinqan to make war
1. : to emit a strong offensive odor
many of the men stank of cheap liquor — L.C.Douglas
2. : to be offensive to morality or good taste
the business stinks to high heaven, and you … wouldn't dare have it aired before a court-martial — D.J.Greene
also : to be in bad repute
a scene of atrocities that will make its name stink in history
3. : to possess something to an offensive degree
tourists who are stinking with money
4. : to be extremely or disgustingly bad in quality or execution
his first performance stank and was mercilessly panned by the critics
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from stinken, v.
1. : a strong offensive smell : a disgusting odor : stench
2. : an open or public outcry against something offensive : to-do
made a big stink over being accidentally shortchanged
3. stinks plural , Britain : natural science as a subject of study
science is called stinks … and neglected — Spectator