Main Entry:

di·a·phragm

Pronunciation:

\ˈdī-ə-ˌfram\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, from Greek, from diaphrassein to barricade, from dia- + phrassein to enclose

Date:

14th century

1: a body partition of muscle and connective tissue ; specifically : the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals2: a dividing membrane or thin partition especially in a tube3 a: a more or less rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate b: a transverse septum in a plant stem4: a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system — compare iris diaphragm5: a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves or that vibrates to generate sound waves6: a molded cap usually of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier

— di·a·phrag·mat·ic \ˌdī-ə-frə(g)-ˈma-tik, -ˌfrag-\ adjective

— di·a·phrag·mat·i·cal·ly \-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb