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

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

They were interning at a local dance studio, teaching yoga to kids and unsteadily emerging from a miasma of childhood depression.

From New York Times

During the GOP candidate debates, Haley has tried to dodge questions about her abortion policies, or at least shroud them in a miasma of verbiage.

From Los Angeles Times