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effluvium

 - 5 dictionary results

ef⋅flu⋅vi⋅um

  [i-floo-vee-uhm]
Use effluvium in a Sentence
–noun, plural -vi⋅a  [-vee-uh] , -vi⋅ums.
a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, esp. one that is disagreeable or noxious.
Origin:
1640–50; < L, equiv. to ef- ef- + fluv-, base of fluere to flow (see effluent ) + -ium -ium

Related forms:
ef⋅flu⋅vi⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ef·flu·vi·um   (ĭ-flōō'vē-əm)   
n.   pl. ef·flu·vi·a (-vē-ə) or ef·flu·vi·ums

  1. A usually invisible emanation or exhalation, as of vapor or gas.

    1. A byproduct or residue; waste.

    2. The odorous fumes given off by waste or decaying matter.

  3. An impalpable emanation; an aura.


[Latin, from effluere, to flow out; see effluent.]
ef·flu'vi·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

effluvium 
1646, from L. effluvium "a flowing out," from effluere (see effluence).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ef·flu·vi·um
Pronunciation: e-'flü-vE-&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ef·flu·via /-vE-&/ or -vi·ums
: an invisible emanation; especially : an offensive exhalation or smell —the form effluvia often usedwith a singular verb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

effluvium ef·flu·vi·um (ĭ-fl&oomacr;'vē-əm)
n. pl. ef·flu·vi·ums or ef·flu·vi·a (-vē-ə)

  1. A shedding, especially of hair.

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

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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