chemistry: the process whereby particles of liquids, gases, or solids intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal (see thermalentry 1 sense 1b) agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration
bphysics
(1)
: reflection of light by a rough reflecting surface
the author's tendency toward diffusion makes the novel a tedious read
Recent Examples on the WebIn the end, diffusion from commercial creation to defense use is quicker and more cooperative than the old Cold War-era norms that once characterized our advances into space.WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 The National Multi-Housing Council has a diffusion index of rental market tightness (50 and higher on the index means getting tighter, while below 50 and falling means getting easier). Robert Barone, Forbes, 14 Aug. 2022 Victoria’s Secret expanded into the teen market with the diffusion brand Pink, making sexiness a covetable goal for an even younger customer. Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022 PMIs are diffusion indexes and readings above 50 indicate expansion while readings below 50 indicate contraction. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 1 July 2022 This vacuole pushes the cell’s essential proteins, sugars and metabolites against its membrane, facilitating easier diffusion. Sumeet Kulkarni, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022 Being microscopic facilitates diffusion, the way in which bacteria transport molecules within their single-cell bodies and exchange nutrients and waste with their surroundings. Sumeet Kulkarni, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022 Two other important research advances driving recent momentum in visual synthetic data are diffusion models and neural radiance fields (NeRF). Rob Toews, Forbes, 12 June 2022 Pores on the surface of eggs allow the diffusion of water, oxygen and carbon dioxide, and the orientation, density and number of pores on the eggs of living animals can reveal whether they are laid in open nests or underground. Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Apr. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English diffusioun "outpouring (of speech)," borrowed from Late Latin diffūsiōn-, diffūsiō "pouring out (of liquids), watering of the eyes, abundance" (Latin, "geniality"), from Latin diffud-, variant stem of diffundere "to pour out over a wide surface, spread out, extend" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at diffuse entry 2