mephitismn.
/mᵻˈfʌɪtɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /məˈfaɪdɪz(ə)m/ Now historical.
Foul or poisonous air; stench.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > pollution or defilement > environmental pollution > [noun] > bad air > specific
smokiness1587
mephitism1801
smog1905
photochemical smog1957
vog1969
1801 Repertory of Arts 15 425 To destroy the mephitism of the walls in the asylums of industry, indigence, and misfortune.
1813 J. Forsyth Remarks Excurs. Italy 269 (note) The campus martius is sheltered..from the winds which bring mephitism.
1891 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Mephitism.
1992 Amer. Hist. Rev. 97 1228/1 His conclusions about the dangers of mephitisms and reputedly dangerous professions like the sewermen's were questioned by other hygienists.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1801