Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
 
Help
Related Searches
Nearby Words

Diaphragm

 - 6 dictionary results

di⋅a⋅phragm

  [dahy-uh-fram]
Use Diaphragm in a Sentence
–noun
1. Anatomy.
a. a muscular, membranous or ligamentous wall separating two cavities or limiting a cavity.
b. the partition separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity in mammals.
2. Physical Chemistry.
a. a porous plate separating two liquids, as in a galvanic cell.
b. a semipermeable membrane.
3. a thin disk that vibrates when receiving or producing sound waves, as in a telephone, microphone, speaker, or the like.
4. Also called pessary. a thin, dome-shaped device, usually of rubber, for wearing over the uterine cervix during sexual intercourse to prevent conception.
5. a plate with a hole in the center or a ring that is placed on the axis of an optical instrument, as a camera, and that controls the amount of light entering the instrument.
6. a plate or web for stiffening metal-framed constructions.
–verb (used with object)
7. to furnish with a diaphragm.
8. to reduce the aperture of (a lens, camera, etc.) by means of a diaphragm.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME diafragma < LL diaphragma < Gk diáphragma the diaphragm, midriff, equiv. to dia- dia- + phrágma a fence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Diaphragm
di·a·phragm   (dī'ə-frām')   
n.  

  1. Anatomy A muscular membranous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and functioning in respiration. Also called midriff.

  2. A membranous part that divides or separates.

  3. A thin disk, especially in a microphone or telephone receiver, that vibrates in response to sound waves to produce electric signals, or that vibrates in response to electric signals to produce sound waves.

  4. A contraceptive device consisting of a thin flexible disk, usually made of rubber, that is designed to cover the uterine cervix to prevent the entry of sperm during sexual intercourse.

  5. A disk having a fixed or variable opening used to restrict the amount of light traversing a lens or optical system.


[Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, midriff, from Greek, partition, from diaphrassein, to barricade : dia-, intensive pref.; see dia- + phrassein, phrag-, to enclose.]
di'a·phrag·mat'ic (-frāg-māt'ĭk) adj., di'a·phrag·mat'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

diaphragm [(deye-uh-fram)]

A dome-shaped structure made up of muscle and connective tissue that separates the abdominal cavity from the thorax and functions in respiration. By movement of the diaphragm, air is either drawn into the lungs or forced out of them.

Note: The term diaphragm can also refer to a small flexible cap, usually made of rubber, that fits over the cervix and is used for contraception.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

diaphragm 
1398, from L.L. diaphragma, from Gk. diaphragma (gen. diaphragmatos) "partition, barrier," from diaphrassein "to barricade," from dia- "across" + phrassein "to fence or hedge in." The native word is midriff. Meaning "contraceptive cap" is from 1933.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: di·a·phragm
Pronunciation: 'dI-&-"fram
Function: noun
1 : a body partition of muscle and connective tissue;specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals —see PELVICDIAPHRAGM, UROGENITAL DIAPHRAGM
2 : a device that limits the aperture of a lens oroptical system
3 : a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

diaphragm di·a·phragm (dī'ə-frām')
n.

  1. A musculomembranous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and functioning in respiration. Also called midriff.

  2. A membranous part that divides or separates.

  3. A contraceptive device consisting of a thin flexible disk, usually made of rubber, that is designed to cover the uterine cervix to prevent the entry of sperm during sexual intercourse.

  4. A disk having a fixed or variable opening used to restrict the amount of light traversing a lens or optical system.

di'a·phrag·mat'ic (-frāg-māt'ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Diaphragm on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way