effluvia
Foul gaseous discharges
Effluvia is the plural of effluvium—unpleasant or noxious vapors, gases, or odors emanating from a source.
The word typically describes foul smells from decay, waste, or industrial processes: the effluvia of the swamp, factory effluvia.
It carries a slightly literary or formal tone, often used when ordinary words like smell or stink seem inadequate to convey something particularly offensive or pervasive.
Something that flows out
- exhalationBreathing out air
- vaporGaseous form of liquid
- fumesAirborne chemical irritants
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
outflow · exudation · seepage · diffusion · evaporation · venting · expulsion · outpouring
emanation
Something that flows out
- exhalationBreathing out air
- vaporGaseous form of liquid
- fumesAirborne chemical irritants
discharge · outflow · exudation · seepage · diffusion · evaporation · venting · expulsion · outpouring · effusion
stench
Powerfully offensive odor
fetor · pungency · mustiness · muskiness · whiff · smell · funk · rankness · noisomeness · putridity
sewage
Liquid refuse in drains
refuse · detritus · slurry · sludge · dross · runoff · discharge · residue · filth · ordure
- Old Sciencephlogiston, aether, ether, caloric, miasma
- vaporsteam, mist, fog, water vapor, cloud
- obsolete biologyspontaneous generation, vitalism, vital force, humors, humours
effluviafragrance
Pleasing olfactory quality
perfume · fresh air · aroma · bouquet · sweet smell
effluviafresh air
Unenclosed outdoor atmosphere
pure air · clean air · freshness · mountain air · sea breeze
- telogen effluviumStress-induced temporary hair shedding