effluvium

[ ih-floo-vee-uhm ]

noun

, plural ef·flu·vi·a [ih-, floo, -vee-, uh], ef·flu·vi·ums.

1. a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, especially one that is disagreeable or noxious.

effluvium

/ ɛˈfluːvɪəm /

noun

1. an unpleasant smell or exhalation, as of gaseous waste or decaying matter

Derived Forms

• efˈfluvial, adjective

Other Words From

• ef·fluvi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of effluvium¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of effluvium¹

C17: from Latin: a flowing out; see effluent

Example Sentences

Sudden hair loss of the type you describe is known as telogen effluvium.

From Seattle Times

Bariatric surgery or restricted diets can lead to telogen effluvium, in which many follicles let go of their hairs.

From Seattle Times

“Telogen effluvium short-circuits the cycle for many hairs,” Garza said.

From Seattle Times

According to Garza, simply managing your stress may be another solution to telogen effluvium.

From Seattle Times

Some people may never feel like their hair has returned to its previous volume: Doctors said they have noticed that telogen effluvium can occasionally set off other types of more permanent hair loss, such as female- or male-pattern baldness, although they don’t know why.

From Seattle Times