punaise

noun

pu·​naise
pyüˈnāz
variants or punese
-nēz
plural -s
: bedbug

Word History

Etymology

Middle French punaise, from feminine of punais stinking, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin putinasius stinking from the nose, from Latin putēre to stink + nasus nose

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Dictionary Entries Near punaise

Cite this Entry

“Punaise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punaise. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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