miasma
[ mahy-az-muh, mee- ]
/ maɪˈæz mə, mi- /
noun, plural mi·as·mas, mi·as·ma·ta [mahy-az-muh-tuh, mee-]. /maɪˈæz mə tə, mi-/.
noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere.
a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere.
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Origin of miasma
1655–65; <New Latin <Greek míasma stain, pollution, akin to miaínein to pollute, stain
OTHER WORDS FROM miasma
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
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British Dictionary definitions for miasma
miasma
/ (mɪˈæzmə) /
noun plural -mata (-mətə) or -mas
an unwholesome or oppressive atmosphere
pollution in the atmosphere, esp noxious vapours from decomposing organic matter
Derived forms of miasma
miasmal, miasmatic (ˌmiːəzˈmætɪk), miasmatical or miasmic, adjectiveWord Origin for miasma
C17: New Latin, from Greek: defilement, from miainein to defile
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