diffusion

noun

dif·​fu·​sion di-ˈfyü-zhən 

1

: the state of being spread out or transmitted especially by contact : the action of diffusing

the diffusion of knowledge

2

: prolixity, diffuseness

3

a

chemistry : the process whereby particles of liquids, gases, or solids intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal (see thermal entry 1 sense 1b) agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration

b physics

(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

photography : the softening of sharp outlines in an image

diffusional

di-ˈfyü-zhə-nᵊl 

adjective

Synonyms

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

Example Sentences

the author's tendency toward diffusion makes the novel a tedious read

Recent Examples on the Web

Product licenses and a ready-to-wear diffusion-line called 1992 (named after the year the line was established) were trials to more cash. Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Oct. 2022

What makes Pura's device so unique is its ability to connect to an app via Bluetooth to adjust all of its settings, including aroma intensity and diffusion time, in just a few clicks. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 13 Oct. 2022

The second version of DALL-E took advantage of another AI breakthrough, happening across the industry, called diffusion models, which work by breaking down or corrupting the training data and then reversing that process to generate images. Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2022

Another issue with diffusion models from all vendors is cultural bias. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2022

Is Erlanger the first bride whose wedding has spawned multiple diffusion lines? Mattie Kahn, Town & Country, 7 Aug. 2022

The group used diffusion tensor imaging, a technique showing the strength of connections among neurons, to look at nearly 1,000 brains of subjects between the ages of eight and 22. Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2017

The most popular image synthesis models use the latent diffusion technique to create novel artwork by analyzing millions of images without consent from artists or copyright holders. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2022

Those people underwent cognitive and mental health testing and received a diffusion MRI of the brain. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 30 Aug. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English diffusioun "outpouring (of speech)," borrowed from Late Latin diffūsiōn-, diffūsiō "pouring out (of liquids), watering of the eyes, abundance" (Latin, "geniality"), from Latin diffud-, variant stem of diffundere "to pour out over a wide surface, spread out, extend" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at diffuse entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

diffusion

noun

dif·​fu·​sion dif-ˈyü-zhən 

1

: a diffusing or a being diffused

2

: the mixing of particles of liquids, gases, or solids so that they move from a region of high concentration to one of lower concentration

3

: the scattering of light by reflection from a rough surface or by passage through a translucent material (as frosted glass)

Medical Definition

diffusion

noun

dif·​fu·​sion dif-ˈyü-zhən 

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

Last Updated: 1 Nov 2022