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 diffusion
  • Nothing exemplifies the diffusion of the haves better than the spread of gated communities.
  • This profusion of voices leads to a diffusion of tension and drama.
  • For instance, diffusion is the natural tendency of materials to spread themselves evenly .
  • In services, however, the diffusion of technology matters much more.
  • The second process is the diffusion of the magnetic fields.
  • In space, scientists can study pure diffusion.
  • Transmitting light but causing sufficient diffusion to prevent perception of distinct images.
  • The diffusion of technology is crucial to human development, and that was as true in the stone age as it is now.
  • Material will be transported by diffusion from points of relatively high solubility to points of relatively low solubility.
  • The fact of basketball's global diffusion is universally acknowledged.
British Dictionary definitions for 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 diffusion
noun

See cultural diffusion

Word Origin and History for 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)).

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.

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.


diffusion in Culture

diffusion definition


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