Miasmata

3 definitions found

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

  Miasma \Mi*as"ma\, n.; pl. {Miasmata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
     defilement, fr. ? to pollute.]
     Infectious particles or germs floating in the air; air made
     noxious by the presence of such particles or germs; noxious
     effluvia; malaria.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  miasma
       n 1: an unwholesome atmosphere; "the novel spun a miasma of death
            and decay"
       2: unhealthy vapors rising from the ground or other sources;
          "the miasma of the marshes"; "a miasma of cigar smoke"
       [also: {miasmata} (pl)]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  miasmata
       See {miasma}