diffusion

[dih-fyoo-zhuhn]

noun

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

   During the gradual, unorchestrated diffusion of ideas from science into the surrounding culture, crucial information can sometimes be lost.

2. excessive wordiness of speech or writing; long-windedness.

3. Physics.

   1. Also called migration. an intermingling of molecules, ions, etc., resulting from random thermal agitation, as in the dispersion of a vapor in air.

   2. a reflection or refraction of light or other electromagnetic radiation from an irregular surface, or an erratic dispersion through a surface; scattering.

4. Movies.,  a soft-focus effect resulting from placing a gelatin or silk plate in front of a studio light or a camera lens, or through the use of diffusion filters.

5. Meteorology.,  the spreading of atmospheric constituents or properties by turbulent motion as well as molecular motion of the air.

6. Also called cultural diffusion. Anthropology, Sociology.,  the transmission of elements or features of one culture to another.

diffusion

/ dɪˈfjuːʒən /

noun

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

2. verbosity

3. physics

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

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

4. 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. Also called: diffusivity. physics the degree to which the directions of propagation of reverberant sound waves differ from point to point in an enclosure

6. anthropol the transmission of social institutions, skills, and myths from one culture to another

diffusion

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.

2. Compare osmosis

3. The reflection or refraction of radiation such as light or sound by an irregular surface, tending to scatter it in many directions.

diffusion

1. The spreading of atoms or molecules of one substance through those of another, especially into liquids or gas es.

Other Word Forms

• interdiffusion noun
• nondiffusion noun
• overdiffusion noun
• rediffusion noun
• self-diffusion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diffusion¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin diffūsiōn-, stem of diffūsiō “a spreading out”; equivalent to diffuse + -ion

Example Sentences

Softening the digital image was a diffusion filter mounted behind the lens, an effect the cinematographer suggests “breaks up the highlights and skin tones in a very beautiful way.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The new device that can enable a brain-like chip is called the "diffusive memristor" because of the ion motion and the dynamic diffusion that occurs with the use of silver.

Read more on Science Daily

BCA’s U.S. growth diffusion index, which aggregates 89 hard and soft indicators and has historically led turning points in GDP, shows growth decelerating below potential.

Read more on MarketWatch

At the same time, financial deregulation, the diffusion of artificial intelligence into business processes, and innovations in payments and digital finance could all boost profits and productivity, though how quickly this happens is still unclear.

Read more on MarketWatch

At the core of the new system is an advanced generative model known as a diffusion model.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• dispersal 
• dispersion 
• dissemination 
• dissipation