The term 'smoke or mist' can be summarized by the crossword solution 'VAPOR'. VAPOR is a type of gas that is created when a liquid or solid is heated to its boiling point. It is made up of tiny particles that are suspended in the air and can be seen as a cloud or fog. VAPOR is often used to describe the visible gaseous form of water, such as steam from a boiling pot of water or the clouds of water VAPOR that form when humid air cools.