ˈran(t)sə̇d, ˈraan-, ˈrain- adjective
Etymology: Latin rancidus, from rancēre to be rancid, stink
1. : having a rank smell or taste usually from chemical change or decomposition : affecting the senses disagreeably or unpleasantly
rancid butter
the wet rancid smells of a basement — Ben Hecht
2. : showing an obnoxious quality : odious , rotten
a rancid little psychopath who murdered a number of people — Bernard De Voto
• ran·cid·ly adverb
• ran·cid·ness noun -es