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dif·fuse

diffuse

 
 
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, adjective
features:
Word Combinations (verb, adjective), Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
pronunciation: dih fyuz
inflections: diffuses, diffusing, diffused
definition 1: to cause or allow to flow out and spread freely.
The child watched with fascination as the water diffused the drops of paint.The wind diffused the smoke from the campfire.
antonyms:
concentrate
similar words:
pervade, spread
definition 2: to soften or break up (light), as by reflection from an uneven surface.
synonyms:
scatter
similar words:
deflect, refract, soften
definition 3: to spread about or intermingle information, cultural traits, or the like with other elements; disseminate.
synonyms:
disperse, disseminate, distribute, spread
antonyms:
concentrate
similar words:
pervade, radiate, scatter
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
pronunciation: dih fyuz
definition 1: to flow and become spread out.
synonyms:
permeate
antonyms:
concentrate
similar words:
circulate, flow, lift, radiate, spread
definition 2: of light, to become softened, as by reflection from an uneven surface.
synonyms:
permeate
similar words:
deflect, soften
definition 3: in the physical sciences, to flow toward regions of lower concentration.
The drop of dye diffused in the water.
synonyms:
disperse, permeate, spread
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part of speech: adjective
pronunciation: dih fyus
definition 1: widely or thinly distributed; well-dispersed.
synonyms:
dispersed, distributed
antonyms:
compact, concentrated, dense
similar words:
dilute, sparse, widespread
definition 2: softened and scattered.
diffuse light
synonyms:
scattered
definition 3: characterized by wordiness and lack of focus.
synonyms:
rambling, vague, verbose, wordy
antonyms:
concise, pithy, succinct
similar words:
digressive, formless, redundant
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derivations: diffusible (adj.), diffusely (adv.), diffuseness (n.), diffuser (diffusor) (n.)
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