diffusion

diffusion

In the process of diffusion of a single solute, a concentration of molecules on one side of a membrane (top) will move through a membrane (center) until there is equilibrium on both sides (bottom).

dif·fu·sion

 (dĭ-fyo͞o′zhən)

n.

1. The process of diffusing or the condition of being diffused: the diffusion of new technology around the world.

2. 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.

3. The spread of linguistic or cultural practices or innovations within a community or from one community to another.

---

dif·fu′sion·al adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

diffusion

(dɪˈfjuːʒən)

n

1. the act or process of diffusing or being diffused; dispersion

2. verbosity

3. (General Physics) physics

a. the random thermal motion of atoms, molecules, clusters of atoms, etc, in gases, liquids, and some solids

b. the transfer of atoms or molecules by their random motion from one part of a medium to another

4. (General Physics) physics the transmission or reflection of electromagnetic radiation, esp light, in which the radiation is scattered in many directions and not directly reflected or refracted; scattering

5. (General Physics) physics Also called: diffusivity the degree to which the directions of propagation of reverberant sound waves differ from point to point in an enclosure

6. (Anthropology & Ethnology) anthropol the transmission of social institutions, skills, and myths from one culture to another

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dif•fu•sion

(dɪˈfyu ʒən)

n.

1. the act of diffusing or the state of being diffused.

2. prolixity of speech or writing.

3.

a. an intermingling of particles resulting from random thermal agitation, as in the dispersion of a vapor in air.

b. a reflection or refraction of light or other radiation from an irregular surface or an erratic dispersion through a surface.

4. a soft-focus effect in a photograph or film, achieved by placing a gelatin or silk plate in front of a light or lens or by the use of filters.

5. the transmission of elements or features of one culture to another by nonviolent contact.

[1325–75; Middle English < Late Latin diffūsiō; see diffuse, -tion]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

dif·fu·sion

(dĭ-fyo͞o′zhən)

1. The movement of ions or molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Small molecules and ions can move across a cell membrane by diffusion. Compare osmosis.

2.

a. The reflection of light off an irregular surface in all directions.

b. The process by which light passes through a transparent substance.

3. The spreading out of light or other radiation through an area so that its intensity becomes more or less uniform.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

diffusion

1. The process of rapid random movement of the particles of a liquid or gas which eventually form a uniform mixture.

2. The mixing of substances due to the motion of their particles.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

Thesaurus

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 concentration natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" natural action, natural process, action, activity - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity" osmosis - (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 permeation, pervasion, suffusion - the process of permeating or infusing something with a substance 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 another spread, 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 dispersed dissemination dispersion, 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" dispersal, dispersion, dissemination 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)

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

diffusion

noun spreading, distribution, scattering, circulation, expansion, propagation, dissemination, dispersal, dispersion, dissipation the development and diffusion of ideas

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

diffusion

noun

Words or the use of words in excess of those needed for clarity or precision:

diffuseness, long-windedness, pleonasm, prolixity, redundancy, verbiage, verboseness, verbosity, windiness, wordage, wordiness.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

Diffusion

διάχυση

diffusion

diffusione

диффузия

diffusion

[dɪˈfjuːʒən] N [of light, heat, information, ideas] → difusión f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

diffusion

[dɪˈfjuːʒ^ən] n

[information, knowledge] → diffusion f

[light, chemicals, molecules] → diffusion f

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

diffusion

n (of light, heat, rays, fluid etc) → Ausbreitung f; (Chem) → Diffusion f; (of perfume, odour) → Ausströmung f; (of knowledge, custom, news) → Verbreitung f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

diffusion

[dɪˈfjuːʒ/ən] n (of ideas, information) → diffusione f; (of light, heat, substances) → spargimento

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

dif·fu·sion

n. difusión.

1. proceso de difundir;

2. diálisis a través de una membrana.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

diffusion

n difusión f

English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.