di·a·phragm (d   -fr m )n. 1. Anatomy A muscular membranous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and functioning in respiration. Also called midriff. 2. A membranous part that divides or separates. 3. A thin disk, especially in a microphone or telephone receiver, that vibrates in response to sound waves to produce electric signals, or that vibrates in response to electric signals to produce sound waves. 4. A contraceptive device consisting of a thin flexible disk, usually made of rubber, that is designed to cover the uterine cervix to prevent the entry of sperm during sexual intercourse. 5. A disk having a fixed or variable opening used to restrict the amount of light traversing a lens or optical system. [Middle English diafragma, from Late Latin diaphragma, midriff, from Greek, partition, from diaphrassein, to barricade : dia-, intensive pref.; see dia- + phrassein, phrag-, to enclose.] di a·phrag·matic (-frg-mt k) adj.di a·phrag·mati·cal·ly adv. |
diaphragm [ˈdaɪəˌfræm]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Anatomy any separating membrane, esp the dome-shaped muscular partition that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities in mammals Related adj phrenic
2. (Medicine / Gynaecology & Obstetrics) a circular rubber or plastic contraceptive membrane placed over the mouth of the uterine cervix before copulation to prevent entrance of sperm
3. any thin dividing membrane
4. (Miscellaneous Technologies / Photography) Also called stop a disc with a fixed or adjustable aperture to control the amount of light or other radiation entering an optical instrument, such as a camera
5. (Electronics & Computer Science / Telecommunications) a thin disc that vibrates when receiving or producing sound waves, used to convert sound signals to electrical signals or vice versa in telephones, etc.
6. (Chemistry) Chem
a. a porous plate or cylinder dividing an electrolytic cell, used to permit the passage of ions and prevent the mixing of products formed at the electrodes
b. a semipermeable membrane used to separate two solutions in osmosis
7. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Botany a transverse plate of cells that occurs in the stems of certain aquatic plants
[from Late Latin diaphragma, from Greek, from dia- + phragma fence]
diaphragmatic [ˌdaɪəfrægˈmætɪk] adj
diaphragmatically adv
| diaphragm (d-frm) 1. The large muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity in mammals and is the principal muscle of respiration. As the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, the lungs expand and air moves into them. As the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, the lungs contract and air is forced out of them. 2. A thin, flexible disk, especially in a microphone or telephone receiver, that vibrates in response to sound waves to produce electrical signals, or that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves. 3. A contraceptive device consisting of a thin flexible disk, usually made of rubber, that is designed to cover the cervix of the uterus to prevent the entry of sperm during sexual intercourse. 4. An optical device in a camera or telescope that regulates the amount of light that enters the lens or optical system. The diaphragm consists of a disk with a circular opening of variable diameter. |
The physical element of an optical system which regulates the quantity of light traversing the system. The quantity of light determines the brightness of the image without affecting the size of the image.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  diaphragm - a mechanical device in a camera that controls size of aperture of the lens; "the new cameras adjust the diaphragm automatically"camera, photographic camera - equipment for taking photographs (usually consisting of a lightproof box with a lens at one end and light-sensitive film at the other) iris diaphragm, iris - diaphragm consisting of thin overlapping plates that can be adjusted to change the diameter of a central opening mechanical device - mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles |
| 2. |  diaphragm - (anatomy) a muscular partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities; functions in respirationtissue layer, membrane - a pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects the organs or cells of animals or plants torso, trunk, body - the body excluding the head and neck and limbs; "they moved their arms and legs and bodies" anatomy, general anatomy - the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals | |
| 3. |  diaphragm - a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome-shaped cup made of rubber or plastic; it is filled with spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervixbirth control device, contraceptive, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, preventative, preventive - an agent or device intended to prevent conception | |
| 4. | diaphragm - electro-acoustic transducer that vibrates to receive or produce sound waves electro-acoustic transducer - a transducer that converts electrical to acoustic energy or vice versa |
diaphragm noun
Related words
adjective phrenic
adjective phrenic
Translations
diaphragm
n (Anat, Phys, Chem) → Diaphragma nt; (abdominal) → Zwerchfell nt, → Diaphragma nt; (Phot) → Blende f; (in telephone) → Membran f; (= contraceptive) → Pessar nt
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