Miasma
/mɪˈæz.mə/noun
A highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor.
Did you know?In ancient times, miasma was believed to be a toxic vapor released from decaying matter, thought to cause disease and misfortune, linking it to divine punishment.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μίασμα
“a stain or pollution, especially of a moral or spiritual nature.”
14th Century
Latin
miasma
“bad air, foul vapor, or noxious emanation.”
16th Century
English
miasma
“a noxious form of air believed to cause diseases.”
19th Century
English
miasma
“a term used in medicine to describe the theory that diseases were caused by bad air.”
Modern English
English
miasma
“now refers to a disagreeable or unhealthy atmosphere.”