miasma
mi·as·ma (m
-
z
m
, m
-)
n. pl. mi·as·mas or mi·as·ma·ta (-m-t)
1. A noxious atmosphere or influence: “The family affection, the family expectations, seemed to permeate the atmosphere . . . like a coiling miasma” Louis Auchincloss.
2.
a. A poisonous atmosphere formerly thought to rise from swamps and putrid matter and cause disease.
b. A thick vaporous atmosphere or emanation: wreathed in a miasma of cigarette smoke.
[Greek, pollution, stain, from miainein, to pollute.]
mi·asmal, mi
as·matic (mz-mt
k), mi·asmic (-mk) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
| Noun | 1. | miasma – an unwholesome atmosphere; “the novel spun a miasma of death and decay”
ambiance, ambience, atmosphere – a particular environment or surrounding influence; “there was an atmosphere of excitement”
|
| 2. | miasma – unhealthy vapors rising from the ground or other sources; “the miasma of the marshes”; “a miasma of cigar smoke”
air pollution – pollution of the atmosphere; “air pollution reduced the visibility”
|
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
