diffusor

[ dih-fyoo-zer ]

/ dɪˈfyu zər /

noun

QUIZZES

Discover The Influence Of Portuguese On English Via This Quiz!

We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

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Words nearby diffusor

diffusion line, diffusion respiration, diffusionism, diffusive, diffusivity, diffusor, diflorasone diacetate, difluence, diflunisal, difunctional, dig

Definition for diffusor (2 of 2)

diffuser

or dif·fu·sor

[ dih-fyoo-zer ]

/ dɪˈfyu zər /

noun

a person or thing that diffuses.

(in various machines or mechanical systems, as centrifugal pumps or compressors) a device for utilizing part of the kinetic energy of a fluid passing through a machine by gradually increasing the cross-sectional area of the channel or chamber through which it flows so as to decrease its speed and increase its pressure.

(in a lighting fixture) any of a variety of translucent materials for filtering glare from the light source.

a pierced plate or similar device for distributing compressed air for aeration of sewage.

Origin of diffuser

First recorded in 1670–80; diffuse + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for diffusor

diffuser

diffusor

/ (dɪˈfjuːzə) /

noun

a person or thing that diffuses

a part of a lighting fixture consisting of a translucent or frosted covering or of a rough reflector: used to scatter the light and prevent glare

a cone, wedge, or baffle placed in front of the diaphragm of a loudspeaker to diffuse the sound waves

a duct, esp in a wind tunnel or jet engine, that widens gradually in the direction of flow to reduce the speed and increase the pressure of the air or fluid

photog a light-scattering medium, such as a screen of fine fabric, placed in the path of a source of light to reduce the sharpness of shadows and thus soften the lighting

a perforated plate or similar device for distributing compressed air in the aeration of sewage

a device, attached to a hairdryer, which diffuses the warm air as it comes out

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012