Diffusion

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Diffusion \Dif*fu"sion\, n. [L. diffusio: cf. F. diffusion.]
     1. The act of diffusing, or the state of being diffused; a
        spreading; extension; dissemination; circulation;
        dispersion.
        [1913 Webster]
  


              A diffusion of knowledge which has undermined
              superstition.                         --Burke.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Physiol.) 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.
  
     Syn: Extension; spread; propagation; circulation; expansion;
          dispersion.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  diffusion
       n 1: (physics) the process of diffusing; the intermingling of
            molecules in gases and liquids as a result of random
            thermal agitation
       2: the spread of social institutions (and myths and skills)
          from one society to another
       3: the property of being diffused or dispersed [syn: {dissemination}]
       4: the act of dispersing or diffusing something; "the
          dispersion of the troops"; "the diffusion of knowledge"
          [syn: {dispersion}, {dispersal}, {dissemination}]