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diffusion

 - 8 dictionary results

dif⋅fu⋅sion

  [di-fyoo-zhuhn]
Use diffusion in a Sentence
–noun
1. act of diffusing; state of being diffused.
2. prolixity of speech or writing; discursiveness.
3. Physics.
a. Also called migration. an intermingling of molecules, ions, etc., resulting from random thermal agitation, as in the dispersion of a vapor in air.
b. a reflection or refraction of light or other electromagnetic radiation from an irregular surface or an erratic dispersion through a surface; scattering.
4. Movies. a soft-focus effect resulting from placing a gelatin or silk plate in front of a studio light or a camera lens, or through the use of diffusion filters.
5. Meteorology. the spreading of atmospheric constituents or properties by turbulent motion as well as molecular motion of the air.
6. Anthropology, Sociology. the transmission of elements or features of one culture to another.
Origin:
1325–75; ME < L diffūsiōn- (s. of diffūsiō) a spreading out, equiv. to diffūs(us) (see diffuse ) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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dif·fu·sion   (dĭ-fyōō'zhən)   
n.  

  1. The process of diffusing or the condition of being diffused.

  2. Needless profusion of words; prolixity.

  3. Physics

    1. The scattering of incident light by reflection from a rough surface.

    2. The transmission of light through a translucent material.

    3. The spontaneous intermingling of the particles of two or more substances as a result of random thermal motion.

  4. The spread of linguistic or cultural practices or innovations within a community or from one community to another.

dif·fu'sion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry:  diffusion
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  See cultural diffusion
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
Copyright © 2003-2009 Dictionary.com, LLC
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Cultural Dictionary

diffusion

The spreading of atoms or molecules of one substance through those of another, especially into liquids or gases.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

diffusion 
c.1374, from L. diffusionem, from stem of diffundere "scatter, pour out," from dif- "apart, in every direction" + fundere "pour" (see found (2)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: dif·fu·sion
Pronunciation: dif-'yü-zh&n
Function: noun
1 : the process whereby particles of liquids, gases, orsolids intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration
2 a : reflection of light by a rough reflecting surface b : transmission of light through a translucent material —dif·fu·sion·al /-'yüzh-n&l, -&n-&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

diffusion dif·fu·sion (dĭ-fy&oomacr;'zhən)
n.

  1. The process of diffusing or the condition of being diffused.

  2. The spontaneous intermingling of the particles of two or more substances as a result of random thermal motion.

  3. See dialysis.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
diffusion   (dĭ-fy'zhən)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. The movement of atoms or molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Atoms and small molecules can move across a cell membrane by diffusion. Compare osmosis.

  2. The reflection or refraction of radiation such as light or sound by an irregular surface, tending to scatter it in many directions.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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