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Webster's New World College Dictionary » diaphragm
diaphragm
diaphragm definition
dia·phragm (dī′ə fram′)
noun
- the partition of muscles and tendons between the chest cavity and the abdominal cavity; midriff
- any membrane or partition that separates one thing from another
- a dividing wall at the node of a plant stem
- a device to regulate the amount of light entering the lens of a camera, microscope, etc.
- ☆ a small, flexible contraceptive device of rubber or plastic that fits over the cervix of the uterus
- a thin, flexible disk or cone that vibrates in response to sound waves to produce electrical signals, as in a microphone, or that vibrates in response to electrical signals to produce sound waves, as in a speaker
Etymology: ME diafragma < LL diaphragma < Gr < dia-, through + phragma, a fence < phrassein, to enclose
Related Forms:
- diaphragmatic di′a·phrag·mat′ic (-frag mat′ik) adjective
- diaphragmatically di′a·phrag·mat′i·cally adverb
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