empyreuma

/ ˌɛmpɪˈruːmə /

noun

1. the smell and taste associated with burning vegetable and animal matter

Word History and Origins

Origin of empyreuma¹

C17: from Greek, from empureuein to set on fire

Example Sentences

In Scheherazade, it must be said, the benzoin of Arabia sends forth here and there the sickening empyreuma of the pastilles of the harem.

From Project Gutenberg

Empyreuma, em-pir-ū′ma, n. the burned smell and acrid taste which result when vegetable or animal substances are burned:—pl.

From Project Gutenberg

Having the same Greek origin are the scientific words “empyreuma” and “empyreumatic,” applied to the characteristic smell of burning or charring vegetable or animal matter.

From Project Gutenberg

It is imperiously requisite that her organ of smell be highly susceptible of the various effluvia, that her nose may distinguish the perfection of aromatic ingredients, and that in animal substances it shall evince a suspicious accuracy between tenderness and putrefaction; above all, her olfactories should be tremblingly alive to mustiness and empyreuma.

From Project Gutenberg

In the manufacture of rum from the molasses, which are separated during the first process of the operation, there is no danger of deterioration in the production of empyreuma, and a far purer spirit is obtained than that made from ordinary molasses.

From Project Gutenberg