Definition of "miasm" [mi•asm]

• An unhealthy vapor or atmosphere; a miasma. (noun)
• A predisposition to a particular disease, which interferes with subsequent treatment of it. (noun)

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• "Or, acting still more culpably, and upon the well known maxim of Bolingboke, "that whilst plain truth may influence half a score of men, mystery will lead millions by the nose," have not medical men, from the days of Lancisi down to the present time, used the term miasm or malaria, as a sort of convenient cloak for covering up their real want of information upon this subject, and thus hiding their ignorance from the public gaze?"
• "This procession of misdeeds, passing under their eyes day after day must leave a certain miasm of moral death behind it, which no prison or work-house can hereafter cure."
• "Under the first head, I shall make a few pertinent extracts from different authors, to show the sense in which the word miasm or miasmata is used, and what is understood by them to be the source of this febrific agent."