miasma

[ mahy-az-muh, mee- ]

noun

, plural mi·as·mas, mi·as·ma·ta [mahy-, az, -m, uh, -t, uh, mee-].

1. noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere.
2. a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere.

miasma

/ mɪˈæzmə; ˌmiːəzˈmætɪk /

noun

1. an unwholesome or oppressive atmosphere
2. pollution in the atmosphere, esp noxious vapours from decomposing organic matter

Derived Forms

• miˈasmal, adjective

Other Words From

• mi·asmal mi·as·mat·ic [mahy-az-, mat, -ik], mias·mati·cal mi·asmic adjective
• unmi·asmal adjective
• unmi·as·matic adjective
• unmi·as·mati·cal adjective
• unmi·asmic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of miasma¹

1655–65; < New Latin < Greek míasma stain, pollution, akin to miaínein to pollute, stain

Word History and Origins

Origin of miasma¹

C17: New Latin, from Greek: defilement, from miainein to defile

Example Sentences

I’ve written before about the firehouse of fabrication and grift emanating from the Trump campaign like a political miasma.

From Los Angeles Times

That was a complicated, multi-faceted point to make, that the miasma of disinformation and distrust of the government and a profit-driven news media that benefits from making us angry, isn't really held at all to account for its own truthfulness.

From Salon

The Select Subcommittee has done its best to contribute to this poisonous miasma.

From Los Angeles Times

Maddow then segued into a more comprehensive discussion about the rule of law, which she argued was not an abstract "miasma" but rather, is "specific stuff."

From Salon

“This biographical miasma,” the curators write in the catalog introduction, “has tended to obscure — or even excise — the sculptor’s art and agency.”

From Los Angeles Times