odoriferous (2009-06-02)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [o-dê-'ri-fêr-ês]

Definition: Having or emitting an odor or (bad) smell. This word bears a pejorative (negative) connotation; the neutral term is "odorous."

Usage: The word itself suggests the kids' running shoes and clothes hamper, but don't overlook the metaphorical opportunities: "There is something odoriferous about his schemes; I would stay away from them."

Suggested Usage: The 'semi-compounding' element -(i)ferous is combined with many words in English: vociferous, splendiferous, aquiferous "water-bearing," coniferous "cone-bearing," plus many metals: metalliferous "metal-bearing", carboniferous "carbon-bearing," auriferous "gold-bearing," diamondiferous.

Etymology: Latin odor "odor" + fero "(I) carry, bear." From PIE *od- also found in Greek osmi; whence also oleo, olfacio "a smell, scent, odor." The same root that developed into Latin fer- gave us English "bear," "born," "birth," "burden" and Russian br-at' "take."