a. rare. [irreg. f. L. turp-is ugly, unsightly, foul, disgraceful + -ID, after torpid, etc.] Base, filthy, worthless. Hence Turpidly adv.
1623. Cockeram, Turpid, filthy.
1866. J. B. Rose, trans. Virg. Georg., II. 60. But fruit degenerates,—its flavour lost, The turpid grapes are left to birds or frost. Ibid. (1867), Æneid, 44. Smitten with turpid fear. Ibid. (1866), trans. Ovid’s Fasti, VI. 623. The female crew … Turned turpidly and fled.
