Where does “miasma” come from?

miasma (Finnish) comes from Ancient Greek μίασμα, from Ancient Greek μιαίνω, from Proto-Indo-European smei- — to smear.

miasma (Finnish): miasma noxious atmosphere from swamps

Definitions

  1. miasma noxious atmosphere from swamps

Ancestry of “miasma”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekμίασμαpollution, defilement; shameful action, crime
2Ancient GreekμιαίνωI paint; I stain, defile, pollute
3Proto-Indo-Europeansmei-to smear
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smei- →Every word from Ancient Greek μιαίνω →Every word from Ancient Greek μίασμα →