diffusion
the act of diffusing or state of being diffused: During the gradual, unorchestrated diffusion of ideas from science into the surrounding culture, crucial information can sometimes be lost.
excessive wordiness of speech or writing; long-windedness.
Physics.
Also called migration. an intermingling of molecules, ions, etc., resulting from random thermal agitation, as in the dispersion of a vapor in air.
a reflection or refraction of light or other electromagnetic radiation from an irregular surface, or an erratic dispersion through a surface; scattering.
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.
Meteorology. the spreading of atmospheric constituents or properties by turbulent motion as well as molecular motion of the air.
Anthropology, Sociology.Also called cul·tur·al dif·fu·sion [kuhl-cher-uhl di-fyoo-zhuhn] /ˈkʌl tʃər əl dɪˈfyu ʒən/ . the transmission of elements or features of one culture to another.
Origin of diffusion
1Other words from diffusion
- in·ter·dif·fu·sion, noun
- non·dif·fu·sion, noun
- o·ver·dif·fu·sion, noun
- re·dif·fu·sion, noun
- self-dif·fu·sion, noun
Words that may be confused with diffusion
- diffraction, diffusion , reflection, rarefaction, refraction
Words Nearby diffusion
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use diffusion in a sentence
Fernandez explains that small particles get removed by diffusion and larger ones by impaction.
What You Need to Know About Wearing a Face Mask Outside | Joe Lindsey | September 30, 2020 | Outside OnlineIn diffusion flames, the fuel and the oxidizer — typically, oxygen — are initially separate, limiting how fast the fire can burn.
Four types of flames join forces to make this eerie ‘blue whirl’ | Emily Conover | August 12, 2020 | Science NewsIts conical base is a rich premixed flame, topped by a diffusion flame.
Four types of flames join forces to make this eerie ‘blue whirl’ | Emily Conover | August 12, 2020 | Science NewsThe growth history is also a record of information flows in the rangeomorphs’ environment, such as information about the diffusion of dissolved organic carbon in the ocean water around them.
What Is an Individual? Biology Seeks Clues in Information Theory. | Jordana Cepelewicz | July 16, 2020 | Quanta MagazineBrownian motion describes a great many physical phenomena, including diffusion.
The diffusion of information sources, social media chief among them, simply makes that harder to do.
Could Social Media Blow Special Operations Like the Failed Foley Rescue? | Jacob Siegel | August 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAt this critical moment, this diffusion of attention is potentially crippling.
Satellites Correctly Predict Military Campaign Against Civilians in Sudan | Akshaya Kumar | December 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThom Browne, known for his tricolor stripes and short-suits, will soon launch a diffusion collection called Thom Grey.
Mary-Kate Olsen Moves In; 20,000 Pairs of Fake Louboutins Seized | The Daily Beast | August 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd let's put that Gaseous diffusion Plant in...well, on second thought, keep it, Kentucky.
Collectively, Christians can give diffusion to it with an efficiency vastly beyond the sum of all their insulated efforts.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John CunninghamHence it may be said that the diffusion of the great doctrine can be attributed to the influence of this image.
Ancient Faiths And Modern | Thomas InmanThe Arabians conveyed it into Spain, whence its diffusion over Christendom was a simple work of time, sure if gradual.
Witch, Warlock, and Magician | William Henry Davenport AdamsThat which has been most unscientifically designated as "suppression of diffusion circles," depends solely on this method of use.
Schweigger on Squint | C. SchweiggerThe people will imitate the nobles, and the result is a thorough diffusion of the proper feeling.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe | Edgar Allan Poe
British Dictionary definitions for diffusion
/ (dɪˈfjuːʒən) /
the act or process of diffusing or being diffused; dispersion
verbosity
physics
the random thermal motion of atoms, molecules, clusters of atoms, etc, in gases, liquids, and some solids
the transfer of atoms or molecules by their random motion from one part of a medium to another
physics the transmission or reflection of electromagnetic radiation, esp light, in which the radiation is scattered in many directions and not directly reflected or refracted; scattering
Also called: diffusivity physics the degree to which the directions of propagation of reverberant sound waves differ from point to point in an enclosure
anthropol the transmission of social institutions, skills, and myths from one culture to another
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for diffusion
[ dĭ-fyōō′zhən ]
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.
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 © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for diffusion
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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