First Known Use: 1665
Dictionary
miasma
noun mi·as·ma \mī-ˈaz-mə, mē-\
: a heavy cloud of something unpleasant or unhealthy
plural mi·as·mas also mi·as·ma·ta \-mə-tə\
Full Definition of MIASMA
1
: a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease; also : a heavy vaporous emanation or atmosphere <a miasma of tobacco smoke>
2
: an influence or atmosphere that tends to deplete or corrupt <freed from the miasma of poverty — Sir Arthur Bryant>; also : an atmosphere that obscures : fog
— mi·as·mal \-məl\ adjective
— mi·as·mat·ic \ˌmī-əz-ˈma-tik\ adjective
— mi·as·mic \mī-ˈaz-mik, mē-\ adjective
— mi·as·mi·cal·ly \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See miasma defined for English-language learners
See miasma defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MIASMA
New Latin, from Greek, defilement, from miainein to pollute
Other Medicine Terms
Medical Dictionary
miasma
noun mi·as·ma \mī-ˈaz-mə, mē-\
plural mi·as·mas also mi·as·ma·ta \-mət-ə\
Medical Definition of MIASMA
: a vaporous exhalation (as of a marshy region or of putrescent matter) formerly believed to cause disease (as malaria)
—mi·as·mal \-məl\ adjective
—mi·as·mat·ic \ˌmī-əz-ˈmat-ik\ adjective
—mi·as·mic \mī-ˈaz-mik, mē-\ adjective
Learn More About MIASMA
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up miasma? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).