verb (used with object), dif·fused, dif·fusing.
- to pour out and spread, as a fluid.
- to spread or scatter widely or thinly; disseminate.
- Physics. to spread by diffusion.
verb (used without object), dif·fused, dif·fusing.
- to spread.
- Physics. to intermingle by diffusion.
adjective
- characterized by great length or discursiveness in speech or writing; wordy.
- widely spread or scattered; dispersed.
- Botany. widely or loosely spreading.
- Optics. (of reflected light) scattered, as from a rough surface (opposed to specular).
verb (dɪˈfjuːz)
- to spread or cause to spread in all directions
- to undergo or cause to undergo diffusion
- to scatter or cause to scatter; disseminate; disperse
adjective (dɪˈfjuːs)
- spread out over a wide area
- lacking conciseness
- (esp of some creeping stems) spreading loosely over a large area
- characterized by or exhibiting diffusiondiffuse light; diffuse reflection
- botany (of plant growth) occurring throughout a tissue
1520s (transitive), 1650s (intransitive), from Latin diffusus, past participle of diffundere “to pour out or away” (see diffusion). Related: Diffused; diffusing.
early 15c., from Latin diffusus (see diffuse (v.)).
adj.
- Not limited to one tissue or location; widespread.
v.
- To spread or to be spread widely, as through a tissue.