noun
effluvium
eh-FLOO-vee-uhm/ɛˈfluviəm/
An unpleasant vapor or smell given off by something.
The bin's unpleasant effluvium makes the man pinch his nose.
Etymology
“Out” and “flow” give the literal image of a “flowing out.” In this sense, what issues from a source is an unpleasant smell or invisible emission.
More examples
- The effluvium from the garbage makes the kitchen unbearable.
- An open window does little to disperse the sewer's effluvium.
- Sulfurous effluvia drift from the hot springs.
Forms
effluvium · effluvia · effluviums