Both Uses of
rancid
in
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
- good fat didn't reach the zeks, and the rancid all went into the soup kettle
*rancid = a state of decomposition of oils or fats such that they smell and taste bad
- All the cook himself did was this: he poured the grits Into the pot, adding salt; he divided the fat between the pot and himself (good fat didn't reach the zeks, and the rancid all went into the soup kettle, so when there was an issue of rancid fat from the warehouse, the zeks welcomed it as an extra).†
Definitions:
-
(1)
(rancid) having a strong, unpleasant smell or taste due to spoilage -- usually used for food or oils
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much more rarely, rancid can reference anything that is repugnant or offensive -- such as disgusting comments.