effluvium

[ ih-floo-vee-uhm ]
See synonyms for effluvium on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural ef·flu·vi·a [ih-floo-vee-uh], /ɪˈflu vi ə/, ef·flu·vi·ums.
  1. a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, especially one that is disagreeable or noxious.

Origin of effluvium

1
1640–50; <Latin, equivalent to ef-ef- + fluv-, base of fluere to flow (see effluent) + -ium-ium

Other words from effluvium

  • ef·flu·vi·al, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for effluvium

effluvium

/ (ɛˈfluːvɪəm) /


nounplural -via (-vɪə) or -viums
  1. an unpleasant smell or exhalation, as of gaseous waste or decaying matter

Origin of effluvium

1
C17: from Latin: a flowing out; see effluent

Derived forms of effluvium

  • effluvial, adjective

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