Main Entry: mi·as·ma

Pronunciation: \mī-ˈaz-mə, mē-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural mi·as·mas also mi·as·ma·ta \-mə-tə\

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, defilement, from miainein to pollute

Date: 1665

1 : a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease; also : a heavy vaporous emanation or atmosphere <a miasma of tobacco smoke>
2 : an influence or atmosphere that tends to deplete or corrupt <freed from the miasma of poverty — Sir Arthur Bryant>; also : an atmosphere that obscures : fog

— mi·as·mal \-məl\ adjective

— mi·as·mat·ic \ˌmī-əz-ˈma-tik\ adjective

— mi·as·mic \mī-ˈaz-mik, mē-\ adjective

— mi·as·mi·cal·ly \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb