Effluvium

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Effluvium \Ef*flu"vi*um\, n.; pl. {Effluvia}. [L., a flowing
     out, fr. effluere to flow out. See {Effluent}, a.]
     Subtile or invisible emanation; exhalation perceived by the
     sense of smell; especially, noisome or noxious exhalation;
     as, the effluvium from diseased or putrefying bodies, or from
     ill drainage.


     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  effluvium
       n : a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous
           waste)
       [also: {effluvia} (pl)]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  48 Moby Thesaurus words for "effluvium":
     afterdamp, aroma, aura, blackdamp, breath, chokedamp, cloud,
     coal gas, damp, definite odor, detectable odor, ectoplasm,
     ectoplasy, emanation, essence, exhalation, exhaust, exhaust gas,
     exteriorized protoplasm, fetid air, firedamp, flatus, flavor,
     fluid, fragrance, fume, malaria, mephitis, miasma, odor,
     puff of smoke, redolence, reek, savor, scent, smell, smoke, smudge,
     spoor, steam, stench, subtle odor, trace, trail, vapor, volatile,
     water vapor, whiff