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Home / What Does the Word Diffusion Mean in Science

What Does the Word Diffusion Mean in Science

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diffusion

This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

noun

act of diffusing; state of being diffused.

prolixity of speech or writing; discursiveness.

Physics.

  1. Also called migration. an intermingling of molecules, ions, etc., resulting from random thermal agitation, as in the dispersion of a vapor in air.
  2. 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 cultural diffusion . the transmission of elements or features of one culture to another.

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Origin of diffusion

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin diffūsiōn- (stem of diffūsiō ) "a spreading out," equivalent to diffūs(us) + -iōn- noun suffix; see diffuse, -ion

OTHER 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 nearby diffusion

diffuser, diffuse waxy spleen, diffusible, diffusible stimulant, diffusing capacity, diffusion, diffusion anoxia, diffusion coefficient, diffusion hypoxia, diffusionism, diffusion line

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to diffusion

How to use diffusion in a sentence

  • Fernandez explains that small particles get removed by diffusion and larger ones by impaction.

  • Its conical base is a rich premixed flame, topped by a diffusion flame.

  • In diffusion flames, the fuel and the oxidizer — typically, oxygen — are initially separate, limiting how fast the fire can burn.

  • 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.

British Dictionary definitions for diffusion

noun

the act or process of diffusing or being diffused; dispersion

verbosity

physics

  1. the random thermal motion of atoms, molecules, clusters of atoms, etc, in gases, liquids, and some solids
  2. 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

Medical definitions for diffusion

n.

The process of diffusing or the condition of being diffused.

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

dialysis

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for diffusion

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.

What Does the Word Diffusion Mean in Science

Source: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/diffusion