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diffuse

verb

  1. spread throughout a liquid or gas
  2. spread thinly, dispersing or spreading thinly
L31771 on Wikidata ↗

adjective

  1. spread out, ineffective
L31772 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /dɪˈfjuːs/ / /dɪˈfjus/ / /ˈdɪfjuːs/ / /dɪˈfjuːz/ / /dɪˈfjuz/

adj

Etymology: From Middle English *diffuse (attested in adverb diffuseli), from Latin diffūsus.

  1. Everywhere or throughout everything; not focused or concentrated.

    Such a diffuse effort is unlikely to produce good results.

    diffuse activity of the prefrontal cortex

  2. Wordy; verbose.

verb

Etymology: From Middle French diffuser, from Latin diffūsus, past participle of diffundere, from dis- + fundere.

  1. To spread (something) over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.

    The small window diffuses light throughout the room.

    Ideas are easily diffused with the help of technology.

  2. To be spread over or through as in air, water, or other matter, especially by fluid motion or passive means.

    Food coloring diffuses in water.

    The riot diffused quite suddenly.