effluvium

noun

ef·​flu·​vi·​um e-ˈflü-vē-əm 

variants or less commonly effluvia

e-ˈflü-vē-ə 

plural effluvia also effluviums

1

: an invisible emanation

especially : an offensive exhalation or smell

2

: a by-product especially in the form of waste

Synonyms

• chaff
• deadwood
• debris
• dreck
• drek
• dross
• dust
• garbage
• junk
• litter
• offal
• offscouring
• raffle
• refuse
• riffraff
• rubbish
• scrap
• spilth
• trash
• truck
• waste

Examples of effluvium in a Sentence

the effluvia from local sewage treatment plants polluting the river

Recent Examples on the Web

Common diagnoses include androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and lymphocytic scarring alopecia, Agbai tells USA TODAY. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

According to Healthline, other common types of alopecia include traction alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), and lichen planopilaris (LPP). —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

Studies have shown that individuals with chronic telogen effluvium or pattern hair loss often have lower ferritin levels compared to those without these conditions. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023

This type of hair loss, known as telogen effluvium, occurs when someone undergoes stress on the body or mind. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin effluvium act of flowing out, from effluere

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

effluvium

noun

ef·​flu·​vi·​um e-ˈflü-vē-əm 

plural effluvia -vē-ə  or effluviums

: an invisible emanation

especially : an offensive exhalation or smell

—the form effluvia often used with a singular verb