effluvium

[ ih-floo-vee-uh m ]
/ ɪˈflu vi əm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR effluvium ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ef·flu·vi·a [ih-floo-vee-uh] /ɪˈflu vi ə/, ef·flu·vi·ums.

a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, especially one that is disagreeable or noxious.

Origin of effluvium

1640–50; < Latin, equivalent to ef- ef- + fluv-, base of fluere to flow (see effluent) + -ium -ium

OTHER WORDS FROM effluvium

ef·flu·vi·al, adjective

Words nearby effluvium

effloresce, efflorescence, efflorescent, effluence, effluent, effluvium, efflux, effort, effort bargain, effort syndrome, effortful

Words related to effluvia

exhaust, odor, vapor, smell, exhalation

Example sentences from the Web for effluvia

British Dictionary definitions for effluvia

effluvium
/ (ɛˈfluːvɪəm) /

noun plural -via (-vɪə) or -viums

an unpleasant smell or exhalation, as of gaseous waste or decaying matter

Derived forms of effluvium

effluvial, adjective

Word Origin for effluvium

C17: from Latin: a flowing out; see effluent

Medical definitions for effluvia

effluvium
[ ĭ-flōō′vē-əm ]

n. pl. ef•flu•vi•ums

A shedding, especially of hair.
An exhalation, especially one of bad odor or injurious influence. No longer in technical use.