| 释义 |
effluvium|ɛˈfluːvɪəm|
Pl. effluvia, 7–8 effluviums.
[a. late L. effluvium, f. efflu-ĕre, f. ex out + fluĕre to flow.]
†1. A flowing out, an issuing forth; a process or manner of issuing forth. Obs.
1651Biggs New Disp. 156 The effluvium of bloud. 1676Marvell Mr. Smirke Wks. 1875 IV. 8 [The bishops]..cannot transmit it [wit] by breathing, touching, or any other natural effluvium. 1704Swift T. Tub (1768) I. 123 Owing to certain subteraneous effluviums of wind.
2. Chiefly applied to the (real or supposed) outflow of material particles too subtle to be perceived by touch or sight; concr. a stream of such outflowing particles.
†a. gen. (obs.).
1651Biggs New Disp. 114 A continual steame of most subtle effluviums. 1677Plot Oxfordsh. 89 A spirituous, yet corporeal effluvium..flowing from it. 1711Shaftesbury Charac. Enthus. (1749) I. 33 Epicurus..thinks to solve 'em by his Effluvia, and aerial looking-glasses. 1732Pope Ess. Man i. 191 Quick effluvia darting through the brain.
b. A stream of minute particles, formerly supposed to be emitted by a magnet, electrified body, or other attracting or repelling agent, and to be the means by which it produces its effects. Chiefly pl. (Now only Hist.; but it probably survived the theory which it strictly implies.) Also fig.
1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 86 So will a Diamond or Saphire emit an effluvium sufficient to move the needle or a straw without diminution of weight. 1658J. Robinson Eudoxa ii. 121 The Load-stone doth..so freely send forth its effluviums. 1660Boyle New Exp. Phys.-Mech. xvii. 120 The Effluvia of the Load-stone. 1701Beverley Glory of Grace 23 He as the Sovereign Magnet..Attracts every Living Stone by the Effluviums, the Flowings out of Life into, and upon, it. 1788Cowper Let. 9 Aug., Mr. Rose a valuable young man..attracted by the effluvia of my genius. 1837Brewster Magnet. 152 A plane or circle held east and west..divides the north from the south magnetic effluvia. 1863Draper Intell. Devel. Europe xix. (1865) 449 The doctrine..that magnetism is an effluvium issuing forth from the root of the tail of the Little Bear.
c. An ‘exhalation’ affecting the sense of smell, or producing effects by being received into the lungs. In mod. popular use chiefly a noxious or disgusting exhalation or odour.
1656tr. Hobbes' Elem. Philos. (1839) 503 They that say, there goes something out of the odorous body, call it an effluvium. 1663Boyle Usef. Exp. Philos. ii. 244 Infectious Diseases..conveyed by insensible Effluvia. 1712Addison Spect. No. 538 ⁋3 The miraculous Powers which the Effluviums of cheese have. 1821Craig Lect. Drawing ii. 132 The effluvium proceeding from the colours..is extremely injurious to..health. 1845Darwin Voy. Nat. iii. (1852) 49 At the distance of half a mile..I have perceived the whole air tainted with the effluvium. 1867J. Martineau Ess. II. 260 [They] know nothing of the effluvia of the orange.
¶3. The pl. effluvia has often been ignorantly or carelessly treated as a sing. (in senses 2 a, b, c), with a new pl. effluvias or effluviæ.
1652French Yorksh. Spa xvii. 120 Subtile insensible spirits, or rather atomes and effluvia's. 1692Norris Curs. Refl. 24 Tell me how these corporeal effluvias..enter the eye. 1796C. Marshall Garden. ii. (1813) 20 Pieces of a different flavour and effluvia in the bark, wood, leaves, etc. 1806T. Thomas To W. Hanbury 14 The fam'd Perfumes of Summer..Men to Rapture with Effluvias move. 1806T. Paine Yellow Fev. Misc. Wks. II. 180 An impure effluvia, arising from..the ground. 1822J. Imison Sc. & Art II. 64 The putrid effluviæ in prisons. 1834Beckford Italy II. 85 A strong effluvia of the stable. |