Miasma
/miˈæzmə/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A noxious atmosphere or emanation once thought to originate from swamps and waste, and to cause disease.
"There was an earthy smell, as of some dry miasma, which came through the fouler air."
- 2 unhealthy vapors rising from the ground or other sources wordnet
- 3 A noxious atmosphere or influence, an ominous environment. figuratively
"It was into this lossy compression miasma that aptX was born."
- 4 an unwholesome atmosphere wordnet
Example
More examples"A clove cigarette miasma made navigating the pub like swimming underwater."
Etymology
First attested in 1665. From Ancient Greek μίασμα (míasma, “stain; pollution”).