1. The hypothesis of animal magnetism, in which the phenomena are ascribed to the agency of a telluric spirit (proceeding from the earth) or influence.
2. The alleged influence of soil emanations in producing disease.
3. A syndrome resulting from exposure to tellurium and its compounds and comprising dry mouth and skin, metallic taste, nausea, anorexia, somnolence, and vomiting.

The breath of people working with tellurium has a strong, garlicky smell.

4. Etymology: from Latin tellus, "earth; earthy" + -ism, "suffix for forming nouns."