'antimiasmal' originates from Greek via New Latin and English, specifically the prefix 'anti-' from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against' and the noun 'miasma' from Greek 'miasma' meaning 'stain' or 'pollution'.

'miasma' entered English from Medieval Latin 'miasma', from Greek 'miasma'; the adjective 'miasmal' was formed to mean 'relating to miasma', and 'antimiasmal' was later formed in English by adding the prefix 'anti-' to mean 'against miasma'.

Initially tied directly to the miasma theory of disease (i.e., 'against polluted or noxious air'), the term is now used chiefly historically or figuratively to describe measures or qualities that counteract noxious atmospheres or influences.