miasma

mi·as·ma

noun \mī-ˈaz-mə, mē-\

plural mi·as·mas also mi·as·ma·ta\-mə-tə\

Definition of MIASMA

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

Origin of MIASMA

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

First Known Use: 1665

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Rhymes with MIASMA

chiasma, phantasma