Mi-ăṣ’ma, n.

n.; pl. Mī-Ăṣ/MA-TĂ. [Gr. μίασμα, defilement, from μιαίνειν, to stain, pollute; Fr. miasme, It. & Sp. miasma.] Infection floating in the air; the effluvia or fine particles of any putrefying bodies rising and floating in the atmosphere, and considered to be noxious to health; deadly exhalation.