diffusion

[ dih-fyoo-zhuh n ]
/ dɪˈfyu ʒən /

noun

act of diffusing; state of being diffused.
prolixity of speech or writing; discursiveness.
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.
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.
Meteorology. the spreading of atmospheric constituents or properties by turbulent motion as well as molecular motion of the air.
Anthropology, Sociology. Also called cultural diffusion. the transmission of elements or features of one culture to another.

Origin of diffusion

1325–75; Middle English < Latin diffūsiōn- (stem of diffūsiō) a spreading out, equivalent to diffūs(us) (see diffuse) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM diffusion

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH diffusion

diffraction diffusion reflection rarefaction refraction

Words nearby diffusion

diffused junction, diffuser, diffusible, diffusible stimulant, diffusing capacity, diffusion, diffusion anoxia, diffusion coefficient, diffusion hypoxia, diffusion line, diffusion respiration

British Dictionary definitions for cultural diffusion

diffusion
/ (dɪˈfjuːʒən) /

noun

the act or process of diffusing or being diffused; dispersion
verbosity
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
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
Also called: diffusivity physics the degree to which the directions of propagation of reverberant sound waves differ from point to point in an enclosure
anthropol the transmission of social institutions, skills, and myths from one culture to another

Medical definitions for cultural diffusion

diffusion
[ dĭ-fyōō′zhən ]

n.

The process of diffusing or the condition of being diffused.
The spontaneous intermingling of the particles of two or more substances as a result of random thermal motion.
dialysis

Scientific definitions for cultural diffusion

diffusion
[ dĭ-fyōō′zhən ]

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

Cultural definitions for cultural diffusion

diffusion

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