diffuse

[v. dih-fyooz; adj. dih-fyoos] /v. dɪˈfyuz; adj. dɪˈfyus/
verb (used with object), diffused, diffusing.
1.
to pour out and spread, as a fluid.
2.
to spread or scatter widely or thinly; disseminate.
3.
Physics. to spread by diffusion.
verb (used without object), diffused, diffusing.
4.
to spread.
5.
Physics. to intermingle by diffusion.
adjective
6.
characterized by great length or discursiveness in speech or writing; wordy.
7.
widely spread or scattered; dispersed.
8.
Botany. widely or loosely spreading.
9.
Optics. (of reflected light) scattered, as from a rough surface (opposed to specular).
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin diffūsus spread, poured forth. See dif-, fuse2
Related forms
diffusely
[dih-fyoos-lee] /dɪˈfyus li/ (Show IPA), adverb
diffuseness, noun
interdiffuse, verb, interdiffused, interdiffusing.
nondiffuse, adjective
nondiffused, adjective
nondiffusing, adjective
overdiffuse, verb, overdiffused, overdiffusing, adjective
overdiffusely, adverb
overdiffuseness, noun
rediffuse, verb, rediffused, rediffusing.
undiffused, adjective
well-diffused, adjective
Can be confused
defuse, diffuse.
Examples from the web for diffuse
  • One way is to diffuse the situation by empathizing.
  • They are too hot and too diffuse in the intergalactic clouds to be detected by optical telescopes.
  • It tends to diffuse arguments quickly, as we both start laughing uncontrollably.
  • It would create a number of obvious losers, while the benefits would be diffuse.
  • Their heartbreaking story gives this frequently diffuse text a human center.
  • Instead of a brain, it has a diffuse net of nerves.
  • The probe flew through the comet's diffuse corona at about 27500 miles per hour and came within 435 miles of its icy, dirty core.
  • Calcium and phosphate ions, freed by the acid, probably diffuse outwards.
  • The fundamental fact is that solar energy is diffuse and not well distributed geographically and not well distributed across time.
  • By his own account, Moby's music is a patchwork of influences, too diffuse to be likewise influential on other artists.
British Dictionary definitions for diffuse

diffuse

verb (dɪˈfjuːz)
1.
to spread or cause to spread in all directions
2.
to undergo or cause to undergo diffusion
3.
to scatter or cause to scatter; disseminate; disperse
adjective (dɪˈfjuːs)
4.
spread out over a wide area
5.
lacking conciseness
6.
(esp of some creeping stems) spreading loosely over a large area
7.
characterized by or exhibiting diffusion: diffuse light, diffuse reflection
8.
(botany) (of plant growth) occurring throughout a tissue
Derived Forms
diffusely (dɪˈfjuːslɪ) adverb
diffuseness, noun
diffusible (dɪˈfjuːzəbəl) adjective
diffusibility, diffusibleness, noun
defuse
Word Origin
C15: from Latin diffūsus spread abroad, from diffundere to pour forth, from dis- away + fundere to pour
Word Origin and History for diffuse
v.

1520s (transitive), 1650s (intransitive), from Latin diffusus, past participle of diffundere "to pour out or away" (see diffusion). Related: Diffused; diffusing.

adj.

early 15c., from Latin diffusus (see diffuse (v.)).

diffuse in Medicine

diffuse dif·fuse (dĭ-fyōōs')
adj.
Not limited to one tissue or location; widespread. v. dif·fused, dif·fus·ing, dif·fus·es (dĭ-fyōōz')
To spread or to be spread widely, as through a tissue.

dif·fus'i·ble (-fyōō'zə-bəl) adj.