Dictionary

effluvium

noun ef·flu·vi·um \e-ˈflü-vē-əm\

plural ef·flu·via also ef·flu·vi·ums

Definition of EFFLUVIUM

: an invisible emanation; especially : an offensive exhalation or smell

: a by-product especially in the form of waste

ef·flu·vi·um also ef·flu·via \-vē-ə\

Latin effluvium act of flowing out, from effluere

First Known Use: 1651

Synonyms: chaff, deadwood, debris, dreck (also drek), dross, dust, garbage (also effluvia), junk, litter, offal, offscouring, raffle, refuse, riffraff, rubbish, scrap, spilth, trash, truck, waste

Medical Dictionary

noun ef·flu·vi·um \e-ˈflü-vē-əm\

plural -via \-vē-ə\ or ef·flu·vi·ums

: an invisible emanation; especially : an offensive exhalation or smell—the form effluvia often used with a singular verb

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