miasm
Noxious atmospheric emanation
Miasm is an archaic term for a noxious atmosphere or emanation, once believed to cause disease.
Before germ theory, people thought illnesses like malaria spread through bad air rising from swamps or rotting matter: The miasm from the marshes was blamed for the fever.
The word survives mainly in historical contexts and in homeopathy, where miasms are theoretical inherited disease tendencies.
Also spelled miasma.
Gaseous form of liquid
- fogLow-lying cloud cover
- effluviumNoxious airborne exhalation
- exhalationBreathing out air
- fumesAirborne chemical irritants
emanation · haze · mist · smog · stench · fetor · reek · noxiousness
Deadly epidemic disease
- pestilenceFatal epidemic disease
- contagionDisease spread by contact
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- malariaMosquito-borne parasitic infection
cholera · infection · fever · affliction · pathogen · outbreak · pandemic · illness
Dishonest abuse of power
- taintMake impure
- evilProfound moral wickedness
- wickednessMoral corruption or evil
- depravityProfound moral corruption
influence · contagion · spread · infection · blight · poison · perversion · contamination
Bacterial breakdown of tissue
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- putrescenceState of decomposing
fester · necrosis · spoilage · taint · foulness · carrion · stagnation · rancidity
Invoked harm through words
- hexMalevolent incantation
- evil-eyeCurse-inflicting look
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- possessionState of owning
enchantment · maleficence · jinx · spell · haunting · sorcery · bewitchment · conjuration
vapor
Gaseous form of liquid
- fogLow-lying cloud cover
- effluviumNoxious airborne exhalation
- exhalationBreathing out air
fumes · emanation · haze · mist · smog · stench · fetor · reek · noxiousness · pall
plague
Deadly epidemic disease
- pestilenceFatal epidemic disease
- contagionDisease spread by contact
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
malaria · cholera · infection · fever · affliction · pathogen · outbreak · pandemic · illness · sickness
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- taintMake impure
- evilProfound moral wickedness
- wickednessMoral corruption or evil
depravity · influence · contagion · spread · infection · blight · poison · perversion · contamination · malevolence
putrefaction
Bacterial breakdown of tissue
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
putrescence · fester · necrosis · spoilage · taint · foulness · carrion · stagnation · rancidity · gangrene
curse
Invoked harm through words
- hexMalevolent incantation
- evil-eyeCurse-inflicting look
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
possession · enchantment · maleficence · jinx · spell · haunting · sorcery · bewitchment · conjuration · necromancy
miasmwholesomeness
Quality of being good
purity · salubrity · healthfulness · blessing · grace