feculent, a.
(ˈfɛkjʊlənt)
Also 6 feaculent, 7–9 fæculent.
[a. Fr. féculent, ad. L. fæculentus, f. fæc-, fæx: see fæces and -ulent.]
1. Containing or of the nature of fæces or dregs; abounding with sediment or impurities; thick, turbid. Now usually with stronger sense: Laden or polluted with filth; foul, fetid.
| 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. iii. in Ashm. (1652) 140 Feculent feces. 1578 Banister Hist. Man v. 81 The grosse and feaculent part of blood. 1607 Topsell Serpents (1608) 71 Any feculent or dreggy refuse. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies iii. iii. 445 A misty Air, Fog and Fæculent. a 1703 Burkitt On N.T. Rev. xxii. 1 A river, not of muddy or feculent water, but clear as crystal. 1777 Howard Prisons Eng. (1780) 8 Air which has performed its office in the lungs, is feculent and noxious. 1804 Med. Jrnl. XII. 469 The evacuation of fæculent matter. |
| fig. 1653 Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 300 Such feculent stuff. 1660 Waterhouse Arms & Arm. 200 Heralds..distinguishable from the fæculent plebs..by their gay Coats. a 1734 North Exam. ii. v. §93 (1740) 373 Every Word here is feculent and stinks. 1866 Lond. Rev. 4 Aug. 130/1 The most feculent corruptions of modern civilization. |
† 2. Covered with fæces; filthy.
Obs.| 1590 Spenser F.Q. ii. vii. 61 Both his handes most filthy feculent. |