Effluve

/ˈɛf.luːv/ noun

Definition

A flowing out or emanation, often used to describe vapors, odors, or invisible emanations, rarely used variant of 'effluvium.'

Etymology

From French 'effluve' or Latin 'effluvium' (ex- 'out' + fluere 'to flow'). This singular form is archaic and rarely used compared to 'effluvium.'

Kelly Says

In older texts, 'effluve' described the mysterious invisible emanations from diseased people that supposedly spread plague—medieval doctors called it 'miasma' or 'effluve,' imagining disease as a flowing vapor.

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