What does diffusion mean?

Definitions for diffusion
dɪˈfyu ʒəndif·fu·sion

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word diffusion.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. diffusionnoun

    (physics) the process in which there is movement of a substance from an area of high concentration of that substance to an area of lower concentration

  2. diffusionnoun

    the spread of social institutions (and myths and skills) from one society to another

  3. dissemination, diffusionnoun

    the property of being diffused or dispersed

  4. dispersion, dispersal, dissemination, diffusionnoun

    the act of dispersing or diffusing something

    "the dispersion of the troops"; "the diffusion of knowledge"

Wiktionary

  1. diffusionnoun

    the act of diffusing or dispersing something, or the property of being diffused or dispersed; dispersion

  2. diffusionnoun

    the scattering of light by reflection from a rough surface, or by passage through a translucent medium

  3. diffusionnoun

    the intermingling of the molecules of a fluid due to random thermal agitation

  4. diffusionnoun

    the spread of cultural or linguistic practices, or social institutions, in one or more communities

  5. diffusionnoun

    Exchange of airborne media between regions in space in an apparently random motion of a small scale.

  6. diffusionnoun

    the movement of water vapor from regions of high concentration (high water vapor pressure) toward regions of lower concentration.

  7. Etymology: From diffusionem (accusative of diffusio), from verb diffundere.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Diffusionnoun

    Etymology: from diffuse.

    Whereas all bodies act either by the communication of their natures, or by the impressions and signatures of their motions, the diffusion of species visible seemeth to participate more of the former operation, and the species audible of the latter. Francis Bacon, Natural History, №. 269.

    A sheet of very well sleeked marbled paper did not cast distinct colours upon the wall, nor throw its light with an equal diffusion; but threw its beams, unstained and bright, to this and that part of the wall. Robert Boyle, on Colours.

Wikipedia

  1. Diffusion

    Diffusion is the net movement of anything (for example, atoms, ions, molecules, energy) generally from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. Diffusion is driven by a gradient in Gibbs free energy or chemical potential. It is possible to diffuse "uphill" from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, like in spinodal decomposition. The concept of diffusion is widely used in many fields, including physics (particle diffusion), chemistry, biology, sociology, economics, and finance (diffusion of people, ideas, and price values). The central idea of diffusion, however, is common to all of these: a substance or collection undergoing diffusion spreads out from a point or location at which there is a higher concentration of that substance or collection. A gradient is the change in the value of a quantity, for example, concentration, pressure, or temperature with the change in another variable, usually distance. A change in concentration over a distance is called a concentration gradient, a change in pressure over a distance is called a pressure gradient, and a change in temperature over a distance is called a temperature gradient. The word diffusion derives from the Latin word, diffundere, which means "to spread out." A distinguishing feature of diffusion is that it depends on particle random walk, and results in mixing or mass transport without requiring directed bulk motion. Bulk motion, or bulk flow, is the characteristic of advection. The term convection is used to describe the combination of both transport phenomena. If a diffusion process can be described by Fick's laws, it's called a normal diffusion (or Fickian diffusion); Otherwise, it's called an anomalous diffusion (or non-Fickian diffusion).

ChatGPT

  1. diffusion

    Diffusion is a physical process in which particles of gases, liquids, or solids intermingle as a result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. The process continues until a uniform concentration is achieved throughout.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Diffusionnoun

    the act of diffusing, or the state of being diffused; a spreading; extension; dissemination; circulation; dispersion

  2. Diffusionnoun

    the act of passing by osmosis through animal membranes, as in the distribution of poisons, gases, etc., through the body. Unlike absorption, diffusion may go on after death, that is, after the blood ceases to circulate

U.S. National Library of Medicine

  1. Diffusion

    The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space. Diffusion, especially FACILITATED DIFFUSION, is a major mechanism of BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT.

The Standard Electrical Dictionary

  1. Diffusion

    A term properly applied to the varying current density found in conductors of unequal cross sectional area. In electro-therapeutics it is applied to the distribution of current as it passes through the human body. Its density per cross-sectional area varies with the area and with the other factors.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of diffusion in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of diffusion in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of diffusion in a Sentence

  1. Sarah Fischer:

    People may not notice an assault taking place, or may not perceive it as an emergency, or may experience a diffusion of responsibility, since there are so many other people present.

  2. Khalid AbuLeif:

    With a concept like zero emissions and 'let's knock fossil fuels out of the picture', without clear technology diffusion and international cooperation program, you are really not helping the process.

  3. David Altman:

    There is a threat of contagion, of diffusion, of these authoritarian trends, it's a profound concern.

  4. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve:

    Everyone agrees now that legislation that prevents the diffusion of child pornography is protecting citizens from crime. It is the same for terrorism, calling for anti-Semitism, calling for crimes, calling for murder, calling for the killing of Jews or journalists — that's not about freedom of expression. That is a criminal act.

  5. Daniel J. Boorstin:

    Knowledge is not simply another commodity. On the contrary. Knowledge is never used up. It increases by diffusion and grows by dispersion.

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Translations for diffusion

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"diffusion." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/diffusion>.

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