What is "empyreuma"

Empyreuma \Em`py*reu"ma\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? a live coal covered with ashes, fr. ? to set on fire, fr. ?: cf. F. empyreume. See Empyreal.] (Chem.) The peculiar smell and taste arising from products of decomposition of animal or vegetable substances when burnt in close vessels.

n. (context obsolete chemistry English) The peculiar smell and taste arising from products of decomposition of animal or vegetable substances when burnt in close vessels.

Empyreuma is a genus of tiger moths in the Erebidae family. The name is derived from the Greek word , meaning "a live coal covered with ashes."