diffusion

[dih-fyoo-zhuh n] /dɪˈfyu ʒən/
noun
1.
act of diffusing; state of being diffused.
2.
prolixity of speech or writing; discursiveness.
3.
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.
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. Also called cultural diffusion. the transmission of elements or features of one culture to another.
Origin of diffusion
1325-75; Middle English < Latin diffūsiōn- (stem of diffūsiō) a spreading out, equivalent to diffūs(us) (see diffuse) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
interdiffusion, noun
nondiffusion, noun
overdiffusion, noun
rediffusion, noun
self-diffusion, noun
Can be confused
diffraction, diffusion, reflection, rarefaction, refraction.
Examples from the web for cultural diffusion
  • Understand culture and how cultural diffusion affects the development and maintenance of societies.
  • Understand the role of culture and cultural diffusion on the development and maintenance of societies.
British Dictionary definitions for cultural diffusion

diffusion

/dɪˈfjuːʒən/
noun
1.
the act or process of diffusing or being diffused; dispersion
2.
verbosity
3.
(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
4.
(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
5.
(physics) Also called diffusivity. the degree to which the directions of propagation of reverberant sound waves differ from point to point in an enclosure
6.
(anthropol) the transmission of social institutions, skills, and myths from one culture to another
Contemporary definitions for cultural diffusion
noun

in anthropology, the process by which a cultural trait, material object, idea, or behavior pattern is spread from one society to another; also called diffusion

noun

See cultural diffusion

Word Origin and History for cultural diffusion

diffusion

n.

late 14c., from Latin diffusionem (nominative diffusio) "a pouring forth," noun of action from past participle stem of diffundere "scatter, pour out," from dis- "apart, in every direction" (see dis-) + fundere "pour" (see found (v.2)).

cultural diffusion in Medicine

diffusion dif·fu·sion (dĭ-fyōō'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.

cultural diffusion in Science
diffusion
  (dĭ-fy'zhən)   

  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.


cultural diffusion in Culture

diffusion definition


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