miasma

mi·as·ma

noun \mī-ˈaz-mə, mē-\

plural mi·as·mas also mi·as·ma·ta \-mət-ə\

Definition of MIASMA

: a vaporous exhalation (as of a marshy region or of putrescent matter) formerly believed to cause disease (as malaria)

—mi·as·mal \-məl\ adjective

—mi·as·mat·ic \ˌmī-əz-ˈmat-ik\ adjective

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