miasms 1. Unwholesome atmospheres: 'This novel spins miasmas of death and decay.' 2. Unhealthy vapors rising from the ground or other sources: 'I couldn't determine which was worse, the miasmas of the marshes or the miasmas of cigar smoke; because I consider both of them as pollutions of the atmosphere.' ... Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/1307/