miasma (redirected from miasmata)

mi·as·ma  (m-zm, 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.

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[Greek, pollution, stain, from miainein, to pollute.]

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mi·asmal, mias·matic (mz-mtk), mi·asmic (-mk) adj.

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miasma [mɪˈæzmə]

n pl -mata [-mətə], -mas

1. an unwholesome or foreboding atmosphere

2. pollution in the atmosphere, esp noxious vapours from decomposing organic matter

[New Latin, from Greek: defilement, from miainein to defile]

miasmal , miasmatic [ˌmiːəzˈmætɪk], miasmatical, miasmic adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	miasma - an unwholesome atmosphere; "the novel spun a miasma of death and decay" miasm 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" miasm air pollution - pollution of the atmosphere; "air pollution reduced the visibility"

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miasma

noun unwholesomeness, smell, pollution, odour, stench, reek, effluvium, niff (Brit. slang), mephitis, fetor a thick black poisonous miasma which hung over the area

Translations

miasma [mɪˈæzmə] N (miasmas or miasmata (pl)) [mɪˈæzmətə] → miasma m

miasma

n pl <miasmata or miasmas> → Miasma nt