Definitions for miasmamaɪˈæz mə, mi-; -mə tə
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
mi•as•mamaɪˈæz mə, mi-; -mə tə(n.)(pl.)-mas, -ma•ta
noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere.
a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere.
Origin of miasma:
1655–65; < NL < Gk míasma stain, pollution, der. of miaínein to pollute, stain
mi•as′mal-ˈmæt ɪk(adj.)mi`as•mat′i•cal, mi•as′mic
mi`as•mat′ic-ˈmæt ɪk(adj.)mi`as•mat′i•cal, mi•as′mic
Princeton's WordNet
miasma, miasm(noun)
an unwholesome atmosphere
"the novel spun a miasma of death and decay"
miasma, miasm(noun)
unhealthy vapors rising from the ground or other sources
"the miasma of the marshes"; "a miasma of cigar smoke"
Wiktionary
miasma(Noun)
A noxious atmosphere or influence.
miasma(Noun)
A noxious atmosphere or emanation once thought to originate from swamps and waste to cause disease.
Origin: First attested in 1665. From μίασμα (miasma) "stain, pollution".
Webster Dictionary
Miasma(noun)
infectious particles or germs floating in the air; air made noxious by the presence of such particles or germs; noxious effluvia; malaria
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