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 mammals
2 : a dividing membrane or thin partition especially in a tube
3 a : a more or less rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate b : a transverse septum in a plant stem
4 : a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system — compare iris diaphragm
5 : a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves or that vibrates to generate sound waves
6 : 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