miasma

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mi·as·ma / mīˈazmə; mē-/ • n. (pl. -mas or -ma·ta / -mətə/ ) poetic/lit. a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor: a miasma of stale alcohol hung around him like marsh gas. ∎ fig. an oppressive or unpleasant atmosphere that surrounds or emanates from something: a miasma of despair rose from the black workshops.DERIVATIVES: mi·as·mal adj.mi·as·mat·ic / ˌmīəzˈmatik/ adj.mi·as·mic / -mik/ adj.miasmically / mik(ə)lē/ adv.

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