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diffusion
[ dih-fyoo-zhuhn ]
noun
- 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-, uh, l di-, fyoo, -zh, uh, n]. the transmission of elements or features of one culture to another.
diffusion
/ dɪˈfjuːʒən /
noun
- 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 calleddiffusivity 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
diffusion
/ dĭ-fyo̅o̅′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.
Other Words From
- 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
Word History and Origins
Origin of diffusion1
Example Sentences
Fernandez explains that small particles get removed by diffusion and larger ones by impaction.
In diffusion flames, the fuel and the oxidizer — typically, oxygen — are initially separate, limiting how fast the fire can burn.
Its conical base is a rich premixed flame, topped by a diffusion flame.
The 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.
Brownian 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.
At this critical moment, this diffusion of attention is potentially crippling.
Thom Browne, known for his tricolor stripes and short-suits, will soon launch a diffusion collection called Thom Grey.
And 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.
Hence it may be said that the diffusion of the great doctrine can be attributed to the influence of this image.
The Arabians conveyed it into Spain, whence its diffusion over Christendom was a simple work of time, sure if gradual.
That which has been most unscientifically designated as "suppression of diffusion circles," depends solely on this method of use.
The people will imitate the nobles, and the result is a thorough diffusion of the proper feeling.
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