diffusing


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Related to diffusing: diffusing capacity

dif·fuse

 (dĭ-fyo͞oz′)
v. dif·fused, dif·fus·ing, dif·fus·es
v.tr.
1. To cause to spread out freely: smoke that is diffused throughout the room.
2. To make known to or cause to be used by large numbers of people; disseminate: diffuses ideas over the internet.
3. To make less brilliant; soften: light that is diffused through frosted glass.
4. To make less intense; weaken: a remark that diffused the tension in the interview.
5. Physics To cause to undergo diffusion.
v.intr.
1. To become widely dispersed; spread out: The hormone diffuses throughout the body.
2. Physics To undergo diffusion.
adj. (dĭ-fyo͞os′)
1. Widely spread or scattered; not concentrated: Diffuse light is often hard to read by.
2. Wordy or unclear: a diffuse description. See Synonyms at wordy.

[From Middle English, dispersed, from Anglo-Norman diffus, from Latin diffūsus, past participle of diffundere, to spread : dis-, out, apart; see dis- + fundere, to pour; see gheu- in Indo-European roots.]

dif·fuse′ly (-fyo͞os′lē) adv.
dif·fuse′ness (-fyo͞os′nĭs) n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.diffusing - spreading by diffusion
distributive - serving to distribute or allot or disperse
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in classic literature ?
SOME editors of newspapers were engaged in diffusing general intelligence and elevating the moral sentiment of the public.
Civil power, properly organized and exerted, is capable of diffusing its force to a very great extent; and can, in a manner, reproduce itself in every part of a great empire by a judicious arrangement of subordinate institutions.
There, Margaret, the sun is forever visible, its broad disk just skirting the horizon and diffusing a perpetual splendour.
The Spokesman was responding to a question on the role of friendly countries in diffusing the tension.
Earlier on December 19, Quetta security forces had foiled a terror bid by diffusing a 20 kilogram (kg) improvised explosive device (IED).