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1. (n.) diaphragm
a wall of muscle and connective tissue separating two cavities, esp. the partition separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity in mammals.
2. diaphragm
a porous plate separating two liquids.
3. diaphragm
a semipermeable membrane.
4. diaphragm
a thin disk that vibrates when receiving or producing sound waves, as in a telephone or microphone.
5. diaphragm
a thin, dome-shaped device usu. of rubber for wearing over the uterine cervix during sexual intercourse to prevent conception.
6. diaphragm
a plate with a hole in the center or a ring that is placed on the axis of an optical instrument, as a camera, and that controls the amount of light entering the instrument.
7. (v.t.) diaphragm
to furnish with a diaphragm.
Etymology: (1350–1400; < LL diaphragma < Gk diáphragma the diaphragm, midriff =dia-dia - +phrágma a fence)
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| Definition of 'diaphragm' |
Princeton's WordNet |
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1. (noun) diaphragm, stop
a mechanical device in a camera that controls size of aperture of the lens
"the new cameras adjust the diaphragm automatically"
2. (noun) diaphragm, midriff
(anatomy) a muscular partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities; functions in respiration
3. (noun) diaphragm, pessary, contraceptive 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 cervix
4. (noun) diaphragm
electro-acoustic transducer that vibrates to receive or produce sound waves
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| Definition of 'diaphragm' |
Webster Dictionary |
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1. (noun) diaphragm
a dividing membrane or thin partition, commonly with an opening through it
2. (noun) diaphragm
the muscular and tendinous partition separating the cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen; the midriff
3. (noun) diaphragm
a calcareous plate which divides the cavity of certain shells into two parts
4. (noun) diaphragm
a plate with an opening, which is generally circular, used in instruments to cut off marginal portions of a beam of light, as at the focus of a telescope
5. (noun) diaphragm
a partition in any compartment, for various purposes
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| Definition of 'diaphragm' |
U.S. National Library of Medicine |
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1. diaphragm
The musculofibrous partition that separates the THORACIC CAVITY from the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. Contraction of the diaphragm increases the volume of the thoracic cavity aiding INHALATION.
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| Definition of 'diaphragm' |
The Standard Electrical Dictionary |
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1. diaphragm
(a) In telephones and microphones a disc of iron thrown into motion by sound waves or by electric impulses, according to whether it acts as the diaphragm of a transmitter or receiver. It is generally a plate of japanned iron such as used in making ferrotype photographs. (See Telephone and Microphone.)
(b) A porous diaphragm is often used in electric decomposition cells and in batteries. The porous cup represents the latter use.
[Transcriber's note: Japanned--covered with heavy black lacquer, like enamel paint.]
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Definitions of diaphragm 
