Where does “miasma” come from?

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

miasma (Portuguese): miasma noxious atmosphere or influence

Definitions

  1. miasma noxious atmosphere or influence

Ancestry of “miasma”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinmiasma—
2Ancient Greekμίασμαpollution, defilement; shameful action, crime
3Ancient GreekμιαίνωI paint; I stain, defile, pollute
4Proto-Indo-Europeansmei-to smear
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smei- →Every word from Ancient Greek μιαίνω →Every word from Ancient Greek μίασμα →