miasma

(mī-ăzˈmə, mē-)

1. A noxious atmosphere or influence: “The family affection, the family expectations, seemed to permeate the atmosphere . . . like a coiling miasma” (Louis Auchincloss).
2. a. A poisonous atmosphere formerly thought to rise from swamps and putrid matter and cause disease.
   b. A thick vaporous atmosphere or emanation: wreathed in a miasma of cigarette smoke.

Related Forms:

• mi·asˈmal, miˌas·matˈic (mīˌəz-mătˈĭk), mi·asˈmic (-mĭk) adjective