1. plural of mephitis; noxious or foul-smelling gases or vapors
Usage: formal; technical

Examples

• The ancient Romans believed that mephitises from swamps caused disease.
• Volcanic mephitises made the area uninhabitable for miles around.
• The scientist studied the toxic mephitises emerging from the chemical plant.
• Medieval texts described mephitises as poisonous airs that corrupted the atmosphere.
• The cave explorers wore masks to protect themselves from dangerous mephitises.