Where does “stench” come from?
Stench comes from Old English stenċ, from Proto-Germanic stankwiz, from Proto-Indo-European stengʷ-, a root meaning to emit a strong smell.
stench (English): a strong foul smell; a stink; A foul quality; A...
Definitions
- a strong foul smell; a stink; A foul quality; A...
Ancestry of “stench”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | stench | A stench; a displeasing or repulsive smell;... |
| 2 | Old English | stenċ | stench, odor, fragrance |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | stankwiz | odor; fragrance; stench |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | stengʷ- | to push |
Words derived from “stench”