miasma (2009-06-23)

Part of Speech: noun

Pronunciation: [mī az′mə, mē-]

Definition: (1) A vapor rising as from marshes or decomposing animal or vegetable matter, formerly supposed to poison and infect the air, causing malaria, etc. (2) An unwholesome or befogging atmosphere, influence, etc.

Usage: "To many men... the miasma of peace seems more suffocating than the bracing air of war." - George Steiner

Suggested Usage: (1) Free speech is to a great people what winds are to oceans and malarial regions, which waft away the elements of disease, and bring new elements of health. And where free speech is stopped miasma is bred, and death comes fast. - Henry Ward Beecher 1813-1887 (2) A century and a half ago, most physicians thought cholera was spread by "miasma." That is, they believed that foul air emanating from filth dispatched cholera victims. - Jack Brubaker, Lancaster Online February 2009

Etymology: ModL < Gr, pollution, < miainein, to pollute < IE base *mai- > OE mal, a spot.