diffusion

dif·fu·sion

noun \di-ˈfyü-zhən\

Definition of DIFFUSION

1

: the action of diffusing : the state of being diffused

2

: prolixity, diffuseness

3

a : the process whereby particles of liquids, gases, or solids intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration

b (1) : reflection of light by a rough reflecting surface (2) : transmission of light through a translucent material : scattering

4

: the spread of cultural elements from one area or group of people to others by contact

5

: the softening of sharp outlines in a photographic image

— dif·fu·sion·al \-ˈfyü-zhə-n^əl\ adjective

Examples of DIFFUSION

1. <the author's tendency toward diffusion makes the novel a tedious read>

First Known Use of DIFFUSION

14th century

Related to DIFFUSION

Synonyms

circumlocution, diffuseness, verbiage, garrulity, garrulousness, logorrhea, long-windedness, periphrasis, prolixity, redundancy, verbalism, verboseness, verbosity, windiness, wordage, wordiness

Related Words

circuitousness, circularity, digressiveness; pleonasm, tautology; reiteration, repetition, repetitiousness, repetitiveness; embellishment, embroidering, exaggeration, hyperbole, overstatement

Near Antonyms

brevity, briefness, compactness, conciseness, concision, crispness, pithiness, succinctness, terseness

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

Rhymes with DIFFUSION

affusion, allusion, Carthusian, collusion, conclusion, confusion, contusion, delusion, effusion, elusion, exclusion, extrusion, illusion, inclusion, infusion, intrusion, Malthusian, obtrusion, occlusion, perfusion, prelusion, profusion, prolusion, protrusion, reclusion, seclusion, transfusion, Venusian

dif·fu·sion

noun \dif-ˈyü-zhən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DIFFUSION

1

: the process whereby particles of liquids, gases, or solids intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration

2

a : reflection of light by a rough reflecting surface b : transmission of light through a translucent material

—dif·fu·sion·al \-ˈyüzh-nəl, -ən-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

diffusion

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Process by which there is a net flow of matter from a region of high concentration to one of low concentration. It occurs fastest in liquids and slowest in solids. Diffusion can be observed by adding a few drops of food colouring to a glass of water. The scent from an open bottle of perfume quickly permeates a room because of random motion of the vapour molecules. A spoonful of salt placed in a bowl of water will eventually spread throughout the water.