dif·fu·sion (d -fy zh n)n.1. The process of diffusing or the condition of being diffused. 2. Needless profusion of words; prolixity. 3. Physics a. The scattering of incident light by reflection from a rough surface. b. The transmission of light through a translucent material. c. The spontaneous intermingling of the particles of two or more substances as a result of random thermal motion. 4. The spread of linguistic or cultural practices or innovations within a community or from one community to another.
dif·fu sion·al adj. |
diffusion Noun
1. the act of diffusing or the fact of being diffused; dispersion
2. Physics the random thermal motion of atoms and molecules in gases, liquids, and some solids
3. Physics the transmission or reflection of light, in which the radiation is scattered in many directions
diffusion (d -fy zh n)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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | diffusion - (physics) the process in which there is movement of a substance from an area of high concentration of that substance to an area of lower concentrationosmosis - (biology, chemistry) diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal transport - an exchange of molecules (and their kinetic energy and momentum) across the boundary between adjacent layers of a fluid or across cell membranes |
| 2. | diffusion - the spread of social institutions (and myths and skills) from one society to anotherspread, spreading - process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space mythology - myths collectively; the body of stories associated with a culture or institution or person |
| 3. | diffusion - the property of being diffused or disperseddispersion, distribution - the spatial or geographic property of being scattered about over a range, area, or volume; "worldwide in distribution"; "the distribution of nerve fibers"; "in complementary distribution" |
| 4. | diffusion - the act of dispersing or diffusing something; "the dispersion of the troops"; "the diffusion of knowledge"spreading, spread - act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time crop-dusting, spraying - the dispersion of fungicides or insecticides or fertilizer on growing crops (often from a low-flying aircraft) |
diffusion