[f. assumed L. *excrēmentīci-us (f. excrēment-um EXCREMENT1) + -OUS.]
† 1. Of the nature of the dregs or worthless part of any substance. Of food: Consisting largely of matter useless for nutrition; = EXCREMENTAL1 1.
1623. Hart, Arraignm. Ur., I. ii. 8. The superfluity and excrementitious part of the food is voided forth.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., Introd. The flesh of wild beasts is lesse excrementitious and dryer, than that of the tame.
2. Of the nature of excrement or excreted matter.
1586. T. Bright, A Treatise of Melancholie, xix. 118. The aged … faile in the execution of externall actions … by excrementitious humiditie.
1623. Rowlandson, God’s Bless., 35. As if mildew were … an excrementitious humor.
1670. Boyle, in Phil. Trans., V. 2013. We kept the same Duckling in the same Receiver very close … to keep in the excrementitious steams of her body.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 30. 15. Exhaling vessels for carrying off excrementitious parts, are discovered throughout the whole surface of the vegetable.
1761. Goldsmith, in Brit. Mag., II. 435–6. The scent of excrementitious animal juices, such as musk, civet [etc.].
1826. Kirby & Sp., Entomol. (1828), III. xxxii. 297. Almost all insects discharge some drops of an excrementitious fluid.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, II. 740 s.v. Guano. This extraordinary excrementitious deposit of certain sea-fowls.
fig. 1641. Compl. conc. Corruptions & Grievances, 4. Sweare to all we must, or else be thrust out as … excrementitious burthens of the Church.
1683. D. A., Art Converse, 39. The very scum of the world, and … the very excrementitious part of mankind.
3. Pertaining to or arising from excrement. ¶ Also (nonce-use), Full of excrement, foul with ordure.
1792. A. Young, Trav. France, 160. When brisk mountain gales do not ventilate these excrementitious lanes.
1887. Q. Rev., 7 Jan., 209. There is indeed reason to suspect the existence of such excrementitious pollution of the soil.
Hence † Excrementitiously adv., a. so far as the excrementitious portion is concerned; b. (nonce-use) nauseatingly, disgustingly. † Excrementitiousness, excrementitious quality; in quot. concr.
1638. T. Whitaker, Blood of Grape, 44. Cold and dry in temper, but excrementitiously moist.
1660. Fisher, Rusticks Alarm, Wks. (1679), 374. Men Excrementitiously exact and diligent to very Dotage.
1660. trans. Paracelsus’ Archidoxis, II. 81. On this wise are all the voidings of the excrementitiousness of the body.
