effluvia etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: effluere, "to flow out"
  • Latin: fluere, "to flow"

Meaning:

  • An unpleasant or noxious odor or gas that flows out or is emitted from a substance or living organism.

Origin:

The word "effluvia" originated in the 16th century from the Latin word "effluere," which literally means "to flow out." This Latin term was derived from the root word "fluere," which refers to the act of flowing or streaming.

In its original usage, "effluvia" referred to any type of flowing or emanating substance, both literal and metaphorical. It could describe fluids, liquids, and even intangible forms of emission, such as energy or emotion.

Over time, the word became used more specifically to describe unpleasant or noxious odors or gases emitted by decaying organic matter, factories, or other sources. This usage is likely due to the association between flowing or streaming substances and the release of gases and odors.

effluvia relate terms

  • effluvium

    Etymology Latin effluvium an outflow exhalation vapor Late Latin effluvia an ou

  • fluent

    Etymology Origin Latin fluens present participle of fluere to flow Meaning Th

  • miasma

    Etymology Ancient Greek μίασμα miasma meaning pollution defilement or

  • discharge

    Etymology The word discharge comes from the Old French word descharger meaning to

  • eminent

    Etymology Latin eminēre to stand out project Proto Indo European men to thin

  • hedge

    Etymology The word hedge has an Old English origin deriving from the word hecg whic

  • havoc

    Etymology Medieval English havoc from Old French havot hatoc Ultimately derived fro

  • look

    Etymology Old English lōcian to see Proto West Germanic lōkijanan Proto Germanic

  • congregation

    Etymology From Middle English congregacioun from Old French congregacion from Late Lat

  • exuberant

    Etymology Latin exuberant is from exuberare meaning to overflow to be abundant

  • asphyxia

    Etymology Greek a without sphyxis heartbeat pulse Meaning and Origin A

  • design

    Etymology Design comes from the Middle English word desiner which is derived from th