mə̇ˈfīd.ə̇s noun
Etymology: Latin mephitis, mefitis, from Oscan
1. -es
a. : a noxious, pestilential, or foul exhalation from the earth
b. : an offensive or poisonous smell from any source : stench
2. capitalized
[New Latin, from Latin]
: a genus of mammals that includes the No. American striped skunks